Aussie Legend Wants Wholesale Changes Before Ashes: 'Not Equipped For Any...'
Australian legend Mitchell Johnson has called for wholesale changes in the national team's batting order in the lead-up to the 2025-26 Ashes. He feels that the current group of openers, Usman Khawaja and Sam Konstas, plus number three options, Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green, are not good enough.
Johnson joins several other pundits expressing concerns about these four. Labuschagne has already been dropped from the team after being tried at the top of the order in the World Test Championship final. Konstas scored 3, 5 and 0 in the first three innings against the West Indies, Khawaja has managed 47, 15 and 2, whereas Green (he took number three during the WTC final) has 3, 15, while batting at 6 on Day 2 Stumps.
Writing in his column for the West Australian, Johnson started with a note of caution, saying that England's preparations were going well to overturn history and win their first Ashes in Australia since 2009-10.
'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," Johnson wrote. '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," he added.
The former fast bowler feels that the Kangaroos would be better-equipped relying on the Sheffield Shield season and picking batters who are in form in November in home conditions.
'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. 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," he added.
'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," Johnson concluded.
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July 05, 2025, 15:51 IST
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