Former Aussie captain Mark Taylor believes there is still a place for specialist openers in Test cricket, and has implored selectors to find their long-term new-ball batters.
But he has cautioned against moving Matt Renshaw up the order for the second match in South Africa despite the Queensland leftie being the hot hand in the squad following a sensational outing in Durban.
Taylor’s plea comes as Australia mulls where to slot Cameron Green into the order for the second Test, starting on Sunday in Gqeberha.
Green missed the series opener through injury
Green missed the series opener through injury but is likely to come straight back into the team – if fit – after scoring a century against Bangladesh in Darwin two months ago.
The only question is who makes way, with Nic Maddinson and Beau Webster the obvious options to drop out of the side that won by 214 runs on Monday.
Maddinson scored a painful 33-ball duck in his first Test innings in a decade, before saving face with an electric 48 that set up Australia’s second dig. It’s believed selectors have all but assured him of his place for the second match.
Towering all-rounder Webster scored 4 and 39 not out, and contributed one wicket from six overs bowled.
Source: www.nine.com.au
