‘New stamp’ on Test top order

[Hogg]

Test-batsman-in-waiting Travis Head has backed an overhauled middle-order to put their own stamp on Australia’s new-look side as questions linger over exactly how many new faces there could be to face Pakistan.

A light training session on Thursday in Dubai three days out from their first Test match since the ill-fated South Africa series saw nine of the 15-man squad train outdoors, as Australia ramp up preparations for the first Test to be played in sweltering heat.

Opener Matthew Renshaw resumed batting in the nets after a hefty blow to the head saw him substituted out of the tour match against Pakistan A. 

Coach Justin Langer said on Tuesday that selectors would have to weigh up whether he’s had enough recent match practice to be right for the series-opener.

Marnus Labuschagne looms as Renshaw’s replacement should he not feature, with the South African-born batter spending some one-on-one time with Langer at the ICC Academy nets at the end of Thursday’s session.

Head, who along with opener Aaron Finch is a certain starter for Sunday’s first Test barring a late mishap, said that he hadn’t yet received an indication over where he’ll bat.

The left-hander was deployed at five in the recent tour match after Renshaw was substituted out, with Usman Khawaja promoted to partner Finch at the top of the order, the Marsh brothers batting at three (Shaun) and four (Mitch) ahead of Head and Labuschagne at six.

If that line-up remains the same to face Pakistan, it will mean every member of Australia’s incumbent Test top six that faced South Africa in Johannesburg will have either been dropped or moved spots. 

Joe Burns (who opened against the Proteas in Australia’s most recent Test) and Peter Handscomb (who batted four) were not selected for the UAE tour.

It would also mean none of the three batters (Renshaw, Burns and Glenn Maxwell) flown over to replace the trio banned in the ball-tampering controversy, nor the squad’s original auxiliary batsman (Handscomb), would be in the side to face Pakistan.

The challenge facing Australia's batsmen can't be overstated; their best two players are missing through suspension (David Warner and Steve Smith), as is one of their first-choice openers (Cameron Bancroft), and only one member of the 15-man squad has a Test century to his name on the subcontinent (Shaun Marsh).

There were however encouraging signs in their only tour match ahead of the two-Test series, with Head hitting 90 not out to seal his own spot and underline a dominant batting performance on a turning pitch and facing a strong Pakistan A pace attack.

"If we can continue to do what we've been doing over the last couple of weeks here with that middle order group, and especially the way we played in the tour match, there's no reason why we can't do that in the two Test matches in the next couple of weeks and really put a stamp on it," Head told reporters at the ICC Academy on Thursday.

"We're here to win games of cricket. It's really exciting for the core bunch of guys in that middle order to really step up and do the job."

Head sympathised with the likes of Hansdscomb and Glenn Maxwell but suggested the players picked in their stead are all in form.

"It's always tough for spots and those guys are unlucky to miss out and have been in really good form but in the tour match we were 4-(494)," Head continued.

"Guys are in form, it's always tough to get in the Australian cricket team and the fight for spots is always up.

"I know I'll walk out on Sunday if I play and perform and win a game of cricket for Australia. That's my priority, that's what I'm thinking about and I know all the batters are thinking that way.

"That's the really exciting part, that's the challenge of it and I know we've got the right people here to do that right now."

Michael Neser and Peter Siddle appear to be vying for the other spot up for grabs in the first Test, with both to bowl during a heavier training session on Friday.