Six-year first no worry for Aussies in West Indies
Travis Head insists there are no concerns over top-order inexperience as Australia prepare to enter a Test match without Steve Smith or Manus Labuschagne for the first time since 2018.
Wednesday's series opener against West Indies in Barbados will see a new-look top order for the tourists, with Sam Konstas expected to open and Josh Inglis to bat as high as No.4.
Cameron Green will also likely feature in the top four alongside veteran Usman Khawaja, against an attack spearheaded by quick Shamar Joseph.
Smith and Labuschagne have been something of a cornerstone of Australia's success over the past six years, with at least one of the pair featuring in every Test since Smith's return from the ball-tampering ban in 2019.
The 2018 Boxing Day Test against India marks the last time neither played for Australia, while at least one of them featured in 118 of Australia's 124 Tests since midway through March 2013.
"They're still around, so it still feels similar at the moment in the build up," Head said.
"When we get into the game it will be a little new look. But it's guys who have already played, guys with experience already in a short amount of Test cricket.
"And guys we have played a lot of different cricket around in my career.
"It might be a bit different with some familiar faces, but there are some guys there who have been part of the group for a long time."
The left-hander said he did not expect to move up the order to help bridge the gulf in experience, having become one of the world's best No.5s in recent years.
Smith is some chance to return for the second Test in Grenada starting July 3, depending on the state of his finger after dislocating it in the World Test Championship final.
And Head believed it would also only be a matter of time before Labuschagne also forced his way back in.
"He will grind away," Head said.
"He grinded yesterday after training. He will hit balls and work on his game. There is no doubt he will be back in international cricket.
"Everyone has been through it.
"He will go about his thing. He will get better and let's hope for a better, stronger Marnus when he comes back."
The West Indies series will form the start of the next Test Championship cycle, while also offering selectors a crucial eye to this summer's Ashes.
Head said the team had tried to move on fast from their defeat to South Africa at Lord's earlier this month, with a new motivation to make the 2027 decider.
"It's unfortunate, we put two years of hard work into one week and it didn't quite go to plan," the South Australian said.
"There is another motivation, we have two years to build and have another look at it.
"If you dwell on it for too long or look back, you forget about what is coming."
Travis Head insists there are no concerns over top-order inexperience as Australia prepare to enter a Test match without Steve Smith or Manus Labuschagne for the first time since 2018.
Wednesday's series opener against West Indies in Barbados will see a new-look top order for the tourists, with Sam Konstas expected to open and Josh Inglis to bat as high as No.4.
Cameron Green will also likely feature in the top four alongside veteran Usman Khawaja, against an attack spearheaded by quick Shamar Joseph.
Smith and Labuschagne have been something of a cornerstone of Australia's success over the past six years, with at least one of the pair featuring in every Test since Smith's return from the ball-tampering ban in 2019.
The 2018 Boxing Day Test against India marks the last time neither played for Australia, while at least one of them featured in 118 of Australia's 124 Tests since midway through March 2013.
"They're still around, so it still feels similar at the moment in the build up," Head said.
"When we get into the game it will be a little new look. But it's guys who have already played, guys with experience already in a short amount of Test cricket.
"And guys we have played a lot of different cricket around in my career.
"It might be a bit different with some familiar faces, but there are some guys there who have been part of the group for a long time."
The left-hander said he did not expect to move up the order to help bridge the gulf in experience, having become one of the world's best No.5s in recent years.
Smith is some chance to return for the second Test in Grenada starting July 3, depending on the state of his finger after dislocating it in the World Test Championship final.
And Head believed it would also only be a matter of time before Labuschagne also forced his way back in.
"He will grind away," Head said.
"He grinded yesterday after training. He will hit balls and work on his game. There is no doubt he will be back in international cricket.
"Everyone has been through it.
"He will go about his thing. He will get better and let's hope for a better, stronger Marnus when he comes back."
The West Indies series will form the start of the next Test Championship cycle, while also offering selectors a crucial eye to this summer's Ashes.
Head said the team had tried to move on fast from their defeat to South Africa at Lord's earlier this month, with a new motivation to make the 2027 decider.
"It's unfortunate, we put two years of hard work into one week and it didn't quite go to plan," the South Australian said.
"There is another motivation, we have two years to build and have another look at it.
"If you dwell on it for too long or look back, you forget about what is coming."
Travis Head insists there are no concerns over top-order inexperience as Australia prepare to enter a Test match without Steve Smith or Manus Labuschagne for the first time since 2018.
Wednesday's series opener against West Indies in Barbados will see a new-look top order for the tourists, with Sam Konstas expected to open and Josh Inglis to bat as high as No.4.
Cameron Green will also likely feature in the top four alongside veteran Usman Khawaja, against an attack spearheaded by quick Shamar Joseph.
Smith and Labuschagne have been something of a cornerstone of Australia's success over the past six years, with at least one of the pair featuring in every Test since Smith's return from the ball-tampering ban in 2019.
The 2018 Boxing Day Test against India marks the last time neither played for Australia, while at least one of them featured in 118 of Australia's 124 Tests since midway through March 2013.
"They're still around, so it still feels similar at the moment in the build up," Head said.
"When we get into the game it will be a little new look. But it's guys who have already played, guys with experience already in a short amount of Test cricket.
"And guys we have played a lot of different cricket around in my career.
"It might be a bit different with some familiar faces, but there are some guys there who have been part of the group for a long time."
The left-hander said he did not expect to move up the order to help bridge the gulf in experience, having become one of the world's best No.5s in recent years.
Smith is some chance to return for the second Test in Grenada starting July 3, depending on the state of his finger after dislocating it in the World Test Championship final.
And Head believed it would also only be a matter of time before Labuschagne also forced his way back in.
"He will grind away," Head said.
"He grinded yesterday after training. He will hit balls and work on his game. There is no doubt he will be back in international cricket.
"Everyone has been through it.
"He will go about his thing. He will get better and let's hope for a better, stronger Marnus when he comes back."
The West Indies series will form the start of the next Test Championship cycle, while also offering selectors a crucial eye to this summer's Ashes.
Head said the team had tried to move on fast from their defeat to South Africa at Lord's earlier this month, with a new motivation to make the 2027 decider.
"It's unfortunate, we put two years of hard work into one week and it didn't quite go to plan," the South Australian said.
"There is another motivation, we have two years to build and have another look at it.
"If you dwell on it for too long or look back, you forget about what is coming."
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The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Six-year first no worry for Aussies in West Indies
Travis Head insists there are no concerns over top-order inexperience as Australia prepare to enter a Test match without Steve Smith or Manus Labuschagne for the first time since 2018. Wednesday's series opener against West Indies in Barbados will see a new-look top order for the tourists, with Sam Konstas expected to open and Josh Inglis to bat as high as No.4. Cameron Green will also likely feature in the top four alongside veteran Usman Khawaja, against an attack spearheaded by quick Shamar Joseph. Smith and Labuschagne have been something of a cornerstone of Australia's success over the past six years, with at least one of the pair featuring in every Test since Smith's return from the ball-tampering ban in 2019. The 2018 Boxing Day Test against India marks the last time neither played for Australia, while at least one of them featured in 118 of Australia's 124 Tests since midway through March 2013. "They're still around, so it still feels similar at the moment in the build up," Head said. "When we get into the game it will be a little new look. But it's guys who have already played, guys with experience already in a short amount of Test cricket. "And guys we have played a lot of different cricket around in my career. "It might be a bit different with some familiar faces, but there are some guys there who have been part of the group for a long time." The left-hander said he did not expect to move up the order to help bridge the gulf in experience, having become one of the world's best No.5s in recent years. Smith is some chance to return for the second Test in Grenada starting July 3, depending on the state of his finger after dislocating it in the World Test Championship final. And Head believed it would also only be a matter of time before Labuschagne also forced his way back in. "He will grind away," Head said. "He grinded yesterday after training. He will hit balls and work on his game. There is no doubt he will be back in international cricket. "Everyone has been through it. "He will go about his thing. He will get better and let's hope for a better, stronger Marnus when he comes back." The West Indies series will form the start of the next Test Championship cycle, while also offering selectors a crucial eye to this summer's Ashes. Head said the team had tried to move on fast from their defeat to South Africa at Lord's earlier this month, with a new motivation to make the 2027 decider. "It's unfortunate, we put two years of hard work into one week and it didn't quite go to plan," the South Australian said. "There is another motivation, we have two years to build and have another look at it. "If you dwell on it for too long or look back, you forget about what is coming." Travis Head insists there are no concerns over top-order inexperience as Australia prepare to enter a Test match without Steve Smith or Manus Labuschagne for the first time since 2018. Wednesday's series opener against West Indies in Barbados will see a new-look top order for the tourists, with Sam Konstas expected to open and Josh Inglis to bat as high as No.4. Cameron Green will also likely feature in the top four alongside veteran Usman Khawaja, against an attack spearheaded by quick Shamar Joseph. Smith and Labuschagne have been something of a cornerstone of Australia's success over the past six years, with at least one of the pair featuring in every Test since Smith's return from the ball-tampering ban in 2019. The 2018 Boxing Day Test against India marks the last time neither played for Australia, while at least one of them featured in 118 of Australia's 124 Tests since midway through March 2013. "They're still around, so it still feels similar at the moment in the build up," Head said. "When we get into the game it will be a little new look. But it's guys who have already played, guys with experience already in a short amount of Test cricket. "And guys we have played a lot of different cricket around in my career. "It might be a bit different with some familiar faces, but there are some guys there who have been part of the group for a long time." The left-hander said he did not expect to move up the order to help bridge the gulf in experience, having become one of the world's best No.5s in recent years. Smith is some chance to return for the second Test in Grenada starting July 3, depending on the state of his finger after dislocating it in the World Test Championship final. And Head believed it would also only be a matter of time before Labuschagne also forced his way back in. "He will grind away," Head said. "He grinded yesterday after training. He will hit balls and work on his game. There is no doubt he will be back in international cricket. "Everyone has been through it. "He will go about his thing. He will get better and let's hope for a better, stronger Marnus when he comes back." The West Indies series will form the start of the next Test Championship cycle, while also offering selectors a crucial eye to this summer's Ashes. Head said the team had tried to move on fast from their defeat to South Africa at Lord's earlier this month, with a new motivation to make the 2027 decider. "It's unfortunate, we put two years of hard work into one week and it didn't quite go to plan," the South Australian said. "There is another motivation, we have two years to build and have another look at it. "If you dwell on it for too long or look back, you forget about what is coming." Travis Head insists there are no concerns over top-order inexperience as Australia prepare to enter a Test match without Steve Smith or Manus Labuschagne for the first time since 2018. Wednesday's series opener against West Indies in Barbados will see a new-look top order for the tourists, with Sam Konstas expected to open and Josh Inglis to bat as high as No.4. Cameron Green will also likely feature in the top four alongside veteran Usman Khawaja, against an attack spearheaded by quick Shamar Joseph. Smith and Labuschagne have been something of a cornerstone of Australia's success over the past six years, with at least one of the pair featuring in every Test since Smith's return from the ball-tampering ban in 2019. The 2018 Boxing Day Test against India marks the last time neither played for Australia, while at least one of them featured in 118 of Australia's 124 Tests since midway through March 2013. "They're still around, so it still feels similar at the moment in the build up," Head said. "When we get into the game it will be a little new look. But it's guys who have already played, guys with experience already in a short amount of Test cricket. "And guys we have played a lot of different cricket around in my career. "It might be a bit different with some familiar faces, but there are some guys there who have been part of the group for a long time." The left-hander said he did not expect to move up the order to help bridge the gulf in experience, having become one of the world's best No.5s in recent years. Smith is some chance to return for the second Test in Grenada starting July 3, depending on the state of his finger after dislocating it in the World Test Championship final. And Head believed it would also only be a matter of time before Labuschagne also forced his way back in. "He will grind away," Head said. "He grinded yesterday after training. He will hit balls and work on his game. There is no doubt he will be back in international cricket. "Everyone has been through it. "He will go about his thing. He will get better and let's hope for a better, stronger Marnus when he comes back." The West Indies series will form the start of the next Test Championship cycle, while also offering selectors a crucial eye to this summer's Ashes. Head said the team had tried to move on fast from their defeat to South Africa at Lord's earlier this month, with a new motivation to make the 2027 decider. "It's unfortunate, we put two years of hard work into one week and it didn't quite go to plan," the South Australian said. "There is another motivation, we have two years to build and have another look at it. "If you dwell on it for too long or look back, you forget about what is coming."
West Australian
3 hours ago
- West Australian
Veterans not done yet: Hazlewood and Lyon reject Johnson's Ashes exit remarks in The Nightly
Nathan Lyon says the ageing members of the Australian team are not waiting around for a grand send-off during the Ashes this summer, while Josh Hazlewood has defended his decision to return to the IPL instead of beginning his World Test Championship (WTC) preparation early, after the pair were among those criticised by Mitchell Johnson last week. Writing for The Sunday Times and The Nightly, Johnson wrote the Australian selectors faced tough decisions regarding the veterans in the team following the WTC loss to South Africa at Lord's earlier this month. 'Our successful 'big four' bowling attack of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon can't be taken for granted as a lock going forward either,' Johnson wrote. 'We've seen concerns about Hazlewood's fitness in recent years, and his decision to prioritise returning to the delayed Indian Premier League over his national team preparations raised eyebrows. Lyon didn't look his best on day three either. 'If veteran players are sticking around just for the Ashes as a send-off, it does beg the question of whether that's the right mindset. It's crucial that we embrace the future and build confidence in selecting our next Test players.' Hazlewood, 34, has a career bowling average of 24.7 over 73 Tests and took 35 wickets at an average of 13.6 in 2024. He took 2-85 at Lord's and was part of a 59-run tenth wicket stand with Mitchell Starc that put Australia in a much-stronger position ahead of South Africa's second dig after Australia's batters failed in both innings. Speaking in Bridgetown ahead of the first Test against the West Indies on Wednesday, Hazlewood explained why he decided to return to the IPL in late May after it was halted following air strikes between India and Pakistan. 'It seemed far and away the best place to get ready for any type of cricket that was coming up,' he said. 'The weather was definitely a factor as well. Just getting over there and playing intense competition like that — it's hard to replicate in training. 'In Sydney, it was raining and I had literally nowhere to bowl. I got to Brisbane for three or four days and it was very wet. We were lucky to get on. I just thought the best place to bowl was India. We were still in the competition, we were going to play semis, and I was going to be there for 10 days.' Lyon, now aged 37, denied he had his sights set on retiring after the home Ashes series. He has a bowling average of 30.33 for the 553 wickets he has taken across 137 Tests. In 2024 he had an average of 22.69 over nine Tests, taking 33 wickets. 'Regarding 'Johnno', there's nothing really to be said there,' Lyon said. 'We never take any of our positions for granted. There's that much competition within the squad … and guys putting the senior players under pressure. 'There's no one planning a farewell tour or anything like that. I don't see why the guys can't keep going for a number of years. They're only doing that for the betterment of Australian cricket. We want to play in games, we want to win games. 'That (South Africa loss) does still sting a fair bit, to be honest with you. 'We're really proud of the last two years that we've had to reach the final. Everyone says how hard finals are to reach, but we got outplayed. And that's the disappointing part of it — a tough pill to swallow.' The selectors did heed Johnson's analysis that Marnus Labuschagne had run out of chances, dropping the Queenslander for Sam Konstas for the upcoming three-Test series.
Sydney Morning Herald
4 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
First look at Barbados pitch as Australia prepare for uncertain West Indies surfaces
Australia nearly reached parity, making 406, before bowling the West Indies out for 148 and chasing down the runs required for victory with three wickets to spare. 'Thirteen years ago this was a real old-fashioned, traditional cricket wicket with big runs in the first innings and a hard-fought contest in the second innings,' Lyon said ahead of Australia's first match of a new World Test Championship cycle. 'My feeling is that this wicket is probably going to be pretty similar to that – pretty flat over the first couple of days, reverse swing and spin bowling hopefully comes into it. It's going to be a war of attrition. 'I think it's a real live option to play two spinners here.' In the 2008 Barbados Test, Australia made 251 batting first, then declared on 5-439 in the second innings courtesy of centuries from Phil Jaques (108) and Simon Katich (157). Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood averaged just eight runs a wicket on Australia's last West Indies tour in 2015, which featured matches in Dominica and Kingston. Australia's Tests on this tour are in Barbados (June 25 to 29), Grenada (July 3 to 7) and Jamaica (July 12-16), the last of which is a pink-ball fixture under lights. 'Traditionally, Barbados is probably the best wicket to bat on, and the scores are pretty good in recent history,' Hazlewood said. 'The other ones [in Grenada and Kingston] are a bit of luck of the draw. Typically, they're slower and dry.' Loading Lyon added: 'In Grenada I'm pretty sure no one in the touring squad has actually ever been to the island, so we don't know what's going on. Then a pink Test with the Dukes ball … I'm not sure what that's going to be like.' Kuhnemann is eager to get another match for Australia after his success in Sri Lanka earlier this year. 'I think we've got all bases covered for whatever pitch we get,' he said. 'If it looks like it's going to spin and I play a role, then I'm ready to go.' Australia's batting line-up is essentially settled. The only uncertainty is the exact order Khawaja, Konstas, Josh Inglis, Green, Travis Head, Beau Webster and Alex Carey will bat in, but that order would make sense. There had been speculation Head might open, like he has on the subcontinent before, but he quashed that on Sunday. 'I think with Sam and Uzzie there [at the top of the order] that'd be pretty unlikely,' Head said. 'I wouldn't see that being a case at the moment.'
