Mitchell Johnson: Australia should be prepared to make big changes to their struggling top six for the Ashes

West Australian

13 hours ago

I was asked a question by somebody yesterday: can you change four out of your top six before an Ashes series? My reply was that you shouldn't but that for Australia, it looks like it could happen.
I loved playing cricket for Australia and have always respected those who played before me and after me, as I know how difficult it is to be at your very best in an elite sport under the scrutiny of past players, media, cricket fans and non-cricket fans.
As past players, we should also try to be honest and open in our views on the current team and the form of players within it – while backing up what we have to say. Not everyone will agree, and others will; that's just human nature.
As an ex-bowler watching on, I look at the current Australian batsmen and am frustrated. We all understand that we can't be at our best every day. We give it our all when we're out in the middle, representing the whole of Australia, but that doesn't mean it will always work out.
So back to the question. Can Australia make wholesale changes to their top six for the first Ashes Test in Perth in November?
I am a little torn, to be honest, because I know how important stability is at the top. It is a big series at home against England and with the way they are currently playing, the Poms look as though they will come hard and not be timid this series.
It's hard for any team to come here and beat Australia in their own conditions but starting your innings can be hard for all batsmen on some of the paciest and bounciest pitches in the world. And the Australian top order has not been showing they are equipped for any conditions.
Teenage opener Sam Konstas, who has scored 3, 5, 25 and 0 since being recalled for the West Indies series, has been unsure of anything outside the off-stump line. The same with new No.3 Cam Green actually.
It looks to be both a mental approach and a technical issue as both Konstas and Green have been pushing their hands out at the ball rather than keeping their hands tight to their bodies. They are unsure at times whether to play or leave.
Coming from a bowler's point of view, if I was bowling to both these batters you want them doing exactly what they are doing. It gets you up and about as a bowler, you feel in the game.
If they started leaving those balls outside the off stump and making me bowl more balls and overs without the risk, then as a bowler I will try something different and go away from my game plan.
The more you can get a bowler to bowl at you and the more time they spend on their legs in a game, the more chance a bowler will give you loose balls in your zones.
We could say the conditions in the Caribbean haven't been ideal for the batsmen but this is professional cricket and you don't just get what you want.
Konstas simply has to score runs in the third and final Test in the West Indies to and not just a 30 or 40.
The thing I loved about Test cricket is that conditions differ from country to country, pitch to pitch and day to day, and you need to be adaptable.
With a few Sheffield Shield matches before the Test summer starts, it's a great opportunity for any top-order batters to perform. We need players to perform and then be rewarded for scoring runs and taking wickets.
So I'll force myself to answer the original question, would I change the top four before an Ashes series? Yes, I don't see why you couldn't make changes if the players they pick have experience at shield level and a good understanding of their game.
The one real positive for Australia that makes me think you can make changes before an Ashes series is the reliability of Beau Webster. He honed his trade as a State cricketer and developed his game to the point where he is confident and now able to back himself and trust his ability when playing for Australia.
In fact, I would have started making more changes over the past few years, bringing in players who were performing to reward form and help smooth out the big looming generational change.
The other thought I had while thinking about the Ashes summer was where does Marnus Labuschagne fit into all this? At his best, he is Australia's No.3 and in his best form would be a better for at first drop than Green. Some big runs from Labuschagne early in the shield season would help his cause.
For now, though, openers Konstas and Usman Khawaja need a significant partnership in the third Test if they are to continue their alliance. Even if Green does make some runs at three, I still feel it isn't the best position for him.