Australia top order batsmen warned that places are up for grabs after Ashes struggles

The opening batsman endured a torrid Ashes series on a personal level, making just 95 runs in 10 innings, 61 of which came in one effort at Headingley

David Warner has been warned that his place in Australia’s Test side will not necessarily be certain as the Sheffield Shield returns for the new season.

The opening batsman endured a torrid Ashes series on a personal level, making just 95 runs in 10 innings, 61 of which came in one effort at Headingley. In the process, he became the first man in Test history to be dismissed for a single-figure score eight times in a five-match series.

Having enjoyed a fruitful return from his ball-tampering ban, scoring freely in both the Indian Premier League and the World Cup, he struggled against the red ball. He was not alone, of course, in a series that saw Marcus Harris and Cam Bancroft also short on runs.

Justin Langer and Tim Paine have both spoken in Warner’s favour since the conclusion of the series in England, suggesting that he is likely to retain his place and that his prior record will work in his favour. Even in spite of his struggle this summer, he averages 45.47 in Test cricket and 59.64 in Australia.

“I'm not going to comment on that right now,” stated Trevor Hohns, the chairman of selectors, when asked if Warner would keep his place regardless of his form in the Shield.

“The slate's wiped clean of course [following the Ashes]; different conditions [in England], but it's nice if we have in-form openers.”

Both Joe Burns and Kurtis Patterson missed out on selection for the Ashes series, while Will Pucovski has also been included in squads and touring parties in recent times. It is a level of competition that will keep Australia’s struggling top order on its toes.

“David knows what he has to do as well as anybody, same as Marcus Harris and any of the players that played in England. Make no bones about it, there is a couple of batting spots, two or three, up for grabs.

“There are plenty of openers around the country. It's up to them to perform.”

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