Overview

• Andrew McDonald said Australia’s Test opening combinations remain unsettled after the 3–0 West Indies tour and that early Sheffield Shield contests will guide final Ashes selections.
• Sam Konstas mustered just 50 runs at an average of 8.33 in six innings against the West Indies, raising doubts about his overseas readiness.
• Ricky Ponting forecasts that the Ashes opening three will remain unchanged and called for faith in the existing lineup.
• Ponting contrasted the batting-friendly wickets in Sri Lanka with the unusually difficult surfaces in the Caribbean that tested Australia’s openers.
• Michael Clarke contends that Konstas missed critical experience by being left out of the Sri Lanka series and the World Test Championship final.