The recent Test tours of Sri Lanka and the West Indies were meant to offer clarity for Australia’s men’s Test team, providing a glimpse into both the near and distant future. Instead, with the Ashes just four months away, little has changed in terms of identifying the players who will face England, a team brimming with confidence.
The focus begins with the top order, particularly Usman Khawaja and Sam Konstas. Neither expected an easy journey in the Caribbean, where conditions are rarely familiar to Australian cricketers, and where a makeshift West Indies side played without fear. Both players, aged 38 and 19 respectively, were fighting for their immediate international futures. Now, after three Tests and six innings each, their prospects remain uncertain.
The statistics paint a bleak picture. Konstas managed just 50 runs across the series, averaging a mere 8.3. Khawaja’s performance was only slightly better, with a highest score of 47 and an average of 19.5.
In all three Tests, Australia’s opening pair faced similar struggles. Batting first in each match, Khawaja’s 47 in Jamaica and his cautious 23 at another venue were the only times either managed to reach the first break. Their performances highlight the ongoing challenge for Australia’s top order as they prepare for the impending Ashes series.
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