Clarke’s middle-order plea to selectors for transition

Scott Bailey |

Next-batter-in-line?: Josh Inglis was used down at No.7 in both of his Tests this Ashes series.
Next-batter-in-line?: Josh Inglis was used down at No.7 in both of his Tests this Ashes series.

Michael Clarke has urged selectors to stop messing with the middle order and give it stability, as Australia faces its biggest transition period since his time in the side.

Former Test captain Clarke this week labelled Usman Khawaja’s decision to retire a selfless one, avoiding a glut of exits at the same time and coming well before a massive 2027.

But even after winning this Ashes series, there are still major questions over more than half of Australia’s top seven ahead of their next Test against Bangladesh in August.

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Michael Clarke saw major team transition up close during his career. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Concerning Clarke is the way Australia’s next era of batters have been moved around, with likely next-in-line Josh Inglis batting at No.7 in his two Tests this summer.

Cameron Green has gone from No.3 in the West Indies in July to No.7 at the back end of this Ashes, while also batting at No.4, No.5 and No.6 in recent years.

And Clarke, who was inducted into the Cricket NSW hall of fame on Monday alongside Alex Blackwell, insisted stability was key to this transition.

Green
Cameron Green has not had a settled spot in the order, moving up and down. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

“I’m a little confused why Josh Inglis, when he played, didn’t bat at five. He batted at seven,” Clarke said.

“If he’s your middle-order player, then give him that chance. And I’d like to see Josh get that chance as well. It takes time. 

“Cameron Green, same thing. Why can’t we just leave Cameron at six?

“If Beau Webster comes in, just leave him at six. I know Alex Carey’s doing a good job. Gilly (Adam Gilchrist) was a pretty good player as well. 

“He handled No.7 okay.”

Beyond Inglis shaping as the most likely man to come in for Khawaja, Australia have other issues.

Jake Weatherald is now fighting to keep his spot at the top of the order, trapped lbw for the fourth time this series on Monday in the SCG Test.

The 31-year-old now has 167 runs at 20.87 for his rookie Test summer, with his 72 in Brisbane his one score above 25.

Clarke does like Matt Renshaw as another option at the top, with the Queenslander having hit three Sheffield Shield centuries this summer.

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Matt Renshaw has been pressing for a Test recall. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

Clarke also predicted Travis Head will have the right to decide if he remains an opener or goes back to No.5, with his run spree making the former more likely.

Marnus Labuschagne wasted a chance to go big when drawn into a verbal with Ben Stokes and dismissed for 48 late on day two in Sydney.

He now has 222 runs at 27.75 for the summer, but will likely still be in the team for top-end Tests against Bangladesh before tours of South Africa, India and England in the next 18 months.

Steve Smith is at least a lock and Carey as a wicketkeeper-batter, but selectors do have a call to make between allrounders Green and Webster.

Australia could likely lose at least a third of their side over the next two years when including the bowlers, albeit with Clarke predicting all four bowling front-liners are capable of going to the 2027 Ashes.

Even so that would mark the biggest turnover since Clarke’s time in the side, after the entire golden era stepped away during his 11-year career between 2004 and 2015.

AAP