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Will Australia 'bite the bullet' on a specialist opener?
SEN • October 26th, 2025 4:48 pm
Bharat Sundaresan has given his thoughts on who will make up Australia’s top seven batters for the First Ashes Test.
With the Ashes nearing closer and closer, discussion of how the Australian team will look for their first Test in Perth has raised plenty of questions as to whether they will pick a specialist opener to partner Usman Khawaja or try to select someone in form who doesn’t traditionally bat in that position.
But the expert cricket commentator believes that Australia needs to pick a specialist opener rather than trying to shoehorn someone into the position.
And with that in mind, Sundaresan has Tasmanian representative Jake Weatherald opening the batting alongside Usman Khawaja.
“I think Australia are going to bite the bullet and go with Jake Weatherald and Usman Khawaja to open,” he said on SEN WA Breakfast.
“Marnus Labuschagne in his natural habitat of No. 3, Smith, 4. Head, 5.
“I think Beau Webster might play ahead of Cam Green and then Alex Carey (at No. 7).
“I just think they need an all-rounder right now; they need the fifth bowling option, and Beau Webster provides that for them.”
“At least for the first Test…this is me sticking my neck out as you want your best players playing in their best positions.
“And that is No.3 for Marnus and No. 4 for Smith and Jake Weatherald, I think, he is ready for Test cricket, and Australia do need a specialist opener.
“There’s no point pushing Marnus into open just to fit Cam Green in if he can’t bowl.”
Bharat’s batting line-up for First Ashes Test
- Jake Weatherald
- Usman Khawaja
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Steve Smith
- Travis Head
- Beau Webster
- Alex Carey
The Ashes get underway on November 21 at Optus Stadium in Perth.
SEN will have LIVE commentary of every ball bowled throughout the series through its radio network and the SEN app.
