Next Aussie openers.

[K]

McDonald on ABC's Offsiders:

"And clearly Sam Konstas, on the back of his first Shield match, and the way he went about his work in the second innings at the MCG against Scott Boland, has definitely made some noise.

"I've heard people commentating 'Do you protect the player' If they're ready, they're ready in our mind, and if Sam's capable and we feel as though he is capable to fill that spot, I don't think the opponent should come into the equation."

[K]

Baum:

...Why Steve Smith might be on his last chance...

'Smith’s last Test century was in the Lord’s Ashes Test last year. In 10 Tests since, he’s made four half-centuries and averaged 33. It’s adequate, at best. ...

For comparison’s sake, David Warner averaged 31 in his last 10 Tests, including a century against Pakistan. When he retired, not many thought it was a moment too soon (even fewer would have him back now).

... In Kohli’s last nine Tests, he’s averaged 41 and India is puzzling over his recession. In Australia, seemingly there are no quizzical looks at Smith. But there should be.
...

Half a century ago, it was said that it was harder to get out of the Test team than to get into it. It’s still true. The conversation proceeds as if the standing Test XI is a given. It should not. No position should be a sinecure. Every selection should be a review.'

(The Age)

[piedys]

Renshaw. Go back and kill the new ball like you used to.

[K]

Cherny:

"In a cruel way it was fitting that hours before selectors finalised their squad for the first Test, Harris and Bancroft fell in consecutive balls for golden ducks at the MCG."

(The Australian)

[piedys]

Cherny:

"In a cruel way it was fitting that hours before selectors finalised their squad for the first Test, Harris and Bancroft fell in consecutive balls for golden ducks at the MCG."

(The Australian)

With any luck we'll never see them in the test side ever again....