The Australian batting order is in crisis, and unfortunately, there is no simple fix.
After the Darwin disaster against Bangladesh, Australia's batting line up, which has been protected by the bowlers and the odd bit of batting brilliance from Travis Head, Steve Smith or Alex Carey, is under fire.
Jake Weatherald has too many weaknesses to be a Test batsman, let alone an opener who has to see out the new ball and make an impact with the bat on Australia's notoriously bowler friendly pitches.
Meanwhile, Marnus Labsuchagne's nemesis - balls outside off stump - continues to get the better of the 32-year-old.
The likes of Head, Smith, Carey and now possibly Cameron Green can now be expected to contribute at different stages as batters and are diverse enough in their batting styles and tempos that they can all offer different strengths on different pitches.
So to put it simply, disregarding Nathan Lyon's worrying performance in his return match where he took 1-125 across the two innings, Australia needs a new opener and a new number three.
Not groundbreaking news but it's the facts laid bare.
The cries have grown to screams from Australian fans and pundits, enough is enough; Weatherald and Labuschagne must go.
Queenslander Matthew Renshaw is reported to have been added to Australia's squad, and will likely come into the side for Weatherald for the second Test in Mackay which starts on Saturday. But who are the next best batting options for the 19 Tests that occur in quick succession after? The options are not exactly that clear…
3. Campbell Kellaway
A future project who had an impressive domestic 2025-26 season. But the questions remain over whether he is ready for Test match cricket.
Kellaway failed in the Australia A game against Bangladesh, scoring a duck in his one dig at the crease.
He scored one of his three first class tons against Western Australia in February and came 15th in the Sheffield Shield top run scorers with 509 runs.
The scores aren't there yet, but he is 23 years old and has clear talent as an opener. And that's the enticing element; he is a young new play thing to use The Grade Cricketer rhetoric.
Would it be a risk to put him up as an opener or first drop? Absolutely.
Would he offer the same output as Labsuchagne or Weatherald? It's hard to say, but yes, probably.
So perhaps Australia will concede slightly and take a punt on having one youth member in the side.
