Australia could shake up their batting after crashing to South Africa in the World Test Championship final, with captain Pat Cummins saying a "reset" was needed ahead of three Tests in the West Indies and a home Ashes series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The five-wicket defeat at Lord's on Saturday, after posting a 74-run first-innings lead, has renewed focus on Australia's top order which has struggled since opener David Warner retired 17 months ago.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The elevation of out-of-form Marnus Labuschagne as Usman Khawaja's fifth opening partner since Warner bowed out did not work, while the experiment of Cameron Green at three flopped.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 38-year-old Khawaja is also under the microscope, scoring nought and six as his lean spell against pace continued.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Green made four in the first innings and lasted only two balls before departing for a duck in the second as the new-look top three managed a total of 49 runs in the match.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Australia's batting woes were laid bare, particularly in the second innings, when only a plucky unbeaten fifty from fast-bowler Mitchell Starc and 43 from wicketkeeper Alex Carey gave the Proteas a tough chase.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"There's probably quite a few people in the line-up that wish they could have done a little bit more," Cummins told reporters.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"The top three was an obvious one in this game."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
- Fresh start -<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With the 2027 WTC cycle kicking off when Australia travel to the West Indies for a three-Test series beginning in Barbados on June 25, the skipper admitted "it does feel like a little bit of a fresh start".<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We've got a couple of weeks before the first Test in the Windies, so we'll sit down and have a bit of a think after we digest this game," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"But for me, I think a new WTC cycle in some ways does feel like a bit of a reset.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It's probably more for the selectors and for me to sit down and map it ahead."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Compounding Australia's woes, veteran Steve Smith, who hit a majestic first innings' 66, is doubtful for the first West Indies Test after dislocating his finger.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
If he is ruled out, gung-ho teenager Sam Konstas, who played two Tests against India last summer before being dropped, could slot back in alongside Khawaja.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
That would allow Labuschagne to drop back to three, should he survive the axe after averaging just 25.63 in Tests during the 2024\/25 season.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
There is also the option of Josh Inglis, who was in the WTC squad, as an opener.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Australian media made it clear that change was needed, with The Australian newspaper calling the defeat a "wake-up call" with the five-Test Ashes series against England beginning in November.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Father Time is undefeated and selectors must now be decisive over key calls for the future," it said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Cummins acknowledged all cards were on the table with only five months to go until the first Ashes Test in Perth beginning on November 20.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Coming to this match, you've got guys like Sam Konstas and Scotty Boland and Josh Inglis, all those guys were right on the fringes," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n