TOPIC:

How long is it since Australia have had a pair of opening batsmen?
It seem to me we struggle in all styles of the game, OD, T20 and test.
We seem to be prepared to throw any one into the position in any classification.
Tried Smith failed. McSweeney, fail. Fraser McGurk. fail, Kostas, fail. Connolly, fail.
When will they look at the Sheffield shield and find a real opening batsman. One that knows howto bat for more than ten minutes before wanting to ramp.
I never get the chance to watch any Shield games, but there must be someone there.
Who is there in the SS that looks like an opener that may just make it at test level.
Does anyone think that more emphasis should be placed on the SS rather than the Big Bash.
The Big Bash is several levels below the IPL where the best play the best.
Ooops, of course I forgot Uzzia and Warner.My bad.

selecting Bonafide specialist openers has been totally abandoned for almost 10 years now
and that explains why newer breeds have fallen right away form-wise
Weatherald , Hunt , Renshaw are some that have dropped right away
Bancroft was never up to test level , Burns had moments , Harris same as Bancroft
Khawaja isn't a natural opener either he took it so a game was guaranteed
Renshaw , Jewell , even Short probably the most ability to step up now
never seen this cupboard so bare as it is now
and it's a line of selectors who are to blame 
squarely

Would of thought it is the fault of the players for not stepping up TBH......Renshaw, Harris and Bangers all have failed to take their opportunities when given.....Hunt, Street, Ward Jewell, Whiteman, Hughes, and Maddinson all have sub 40 FC averages....all have their moments, but lack consistency.....Can't blame the selectors for that.....they aren't the ones batting and getting out.

Let's hope the next Gen of potentials can step up.....Dixon, Konstas, Fanning and  Goodwin.....though Ward and Hunt still have time.