\n<\/p>\n
In the build up to the WTC final, who would open the batting alongside Khawaja against South Africa was a source of national debate Down Under.<\/p>\n
Nathan McSweeney, Travis Head, Sam Konstas and Steve Smith have all been tried recently. <\/p>\n
Marnus Labuschagne was handed the role at Lord’s but modest returns of 17 and 22 are unlikely to settle the debate.<\/p>\n
McDonald said the 30-year-old is still a “big part of the future of the team” even though he has “missed out on some scores”.<\/p>\n
“At the moment, he’ll be disappointed with the returns,” added the Aussie coach.<\/p>\n
“We’re confident he can return to his best and that’s why we keep picking him. And at what point do we stop picking him?”<\/p>\n
If the Labuschagne experiment has already been deemed a failure, then he may revert back to three with Konstas looking likely to come in.<\/p>\n
Cameron Green, who looked woefully out of his depth batting at three, will likely drop back down the order.<\/p>\n
There’s been a lot of chopping and changing with Australia’s top order and they have three Tests to try to settle on a formula that works.<\/p>\n
“I was on the record a couple of weeks ago talking about the need to bed down that opening combination,” said McDonald.<\/p>\n
“We’ve had a bit of musical chairs there so now might be the time.<\/p>\n
“We’ve got a problem to solve around what the best order is and I think it will continue to create debate even when we settle on a top order because that’s the nature of the Australian cricket team.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n