McDonald Calls for Patience as New-Look Australian Top Order Finds Its Feet

Andrew McDonald, the coach of the Australian cricket team, is urging observers to exercise patience as the squad navigates a significant transition within its top-order batting lineup. He voiced his support for the emerging players, expressing confidence in their ability to develop and solidify their roles, despite their inconsistent performance in the initial Test match against the West Indies.

Sam Konstas struggles to find his rhythm © AFP

Due to an injury sidelining veteran batsman Steve Smith, Australia presented a revamped top four in the Barbados Test. This included Sam Konstas as an opener, Cameron Green at the number three position, and Josh Inglis batting at number four. While all three found it challenging to amass substantial scores on a difficult pitch, McDonald pointed to promising indicators, particularly in their approach during the second innings.

McDonald emphasized the time it takes for players to adjust and perform consistently at the highest level. "When you start your career, it takes you a while to get to the level and it requires patience on all levels, that comes from coaching and external and internal," McDonald stated. "These guys are on a journey. They're starting it out and some people get there faster than others..."

Konstas, in particular, struggled in both innings, seemingly indecisive between attacking and defending. He faced 38 deliveries for his 5 runs in the second innings. McDonald views this experimentation as an essential component of the learning process.

"He's debriefing that and we've had some conversations around, if you're in that situation again, what does that look like?" McDonald commented. "And that's what experience is; it's learning from previous events and trying to implement a way through that." He added, "It felt like he was stuck at times. It was over-aggressive and then underplayed and it's really that balance and tempo..."

Despite being only 19, Konstas is opening alongside Usman Khawaja. McDonald is confident that their partnership will flourish with time. He reiterated that the Australian system is designed to help players adapt to their individual shortcomings, rather than striving for an unattainable technical ideal.

"He's got a really good partner down the other end that over time will play out and that's all we ask for, is a bit of patience and time with a young player coming into Test cricket," he said. "He knows his deficiencies but from a batting perspective, I encourage all players to learn to play with their deficiencies." McDonald added, "I don't think there's such a thing as a perfect technique and if that's what you're looking for, then I think you're looking in the wrong place. He'll learn to play with what he's got."

Smith is expected to be available for the second Test in Grenada, meaning one of the Barbados top four will have to step aside. McDonald indicated that the team is aiming for stability, particularly in the opening partnership, suggesting Konstas will likely be given a substantial opportunity as Australia prepares for the Ashes series later in the year. "We've been on the record around trying to settle this order down and give some stability, in terms of the opening combination in particular. So the least amount of moving parts the better for us when you've got an injured player."

Cameron Green, who is being developed for the long-term number three role, is also expected to continue in that position. With his bowling currently limited due to a back injury, he is concentrating on his batting during the Caribbean tour. "It feels like he's almost starting his Test career again, he's had such a long layoff," McDonald said. "He's just trying to find that tempo at Test level."

McDonald added, "Thirty Test matches in now, he's got the temperament and technique to bat anywhere in that order... we see him as number three," McDonald added. "He's definitely good enough."

Regarding Travis Head, his role at number five remains secure, even with Smith and Marnus Labuschagne absent. McDonald explained that the team prefers to maintain some consistency within the batting order. "We see him as a fit at five and we like that position for him," McDonald said. "Could he bat higher? He's batted high on the subcontinent, so clearly, he can. It's more how we want to balance out that top order, we see him as a five in these conditions and in Australian conditions, and in other conditions (subcontinent) we see him higher up the order."