The opening conundrum: Australia’s unresolved headache in Tests since WTC 2023 final

David Warner and Usman Khawaja (Source: AFP)

In a recent development, Australia were forced to take a tough call of excluding the veteran opener Usman Khawaja from the second Ashes Test against England. The decision came in the light of Khawaja’s ‘yet to be recovered’ back injury, which he sustained just before the first Ashes Test in Perth. 

Meanwhile, the Aussie management had to name two players, Josh Inglis and Beau Webster to replace in the squad for the second Test. But, there’s still an uncertainty on the opening pair for them in the most important ongoing Ashes rivalry. 

The same ‘opening headache’ has been a long time concern for the WTC 2023 champions since they won the title, defeating India in the final. Hence, here’s a look at the number of experiments Australia have done with their opening pair in the longest format of the game and their struggles with the same. 

Did Aussies ‘miss the chance’ of smooth transition?

In the World Test Championship 2023 final against India and a few months after winning the title, the Aussies had a stable opening pair of two veteran batters, Usman Khawaja and David Warner. The duo had been a ‘reason for relief’ for the Australian camp as they didn’t have to be concerned about the opening pair, having Khawaja-Warner duo on their side. 

Khawaja-Warner duo's 'opening numbers together from WTC 2023 final to Warner's retirement:

Openers to play for Australia since WTC 2023 final till now

After the WTC 2023 final against India, the duo opened the innings together for Australia in 16 innings of the eight Tests they played till Warner’s retirement. The duo added 763 runs in these 16 appearances, with a decent average of 47.68, including two century partnerships and five half-century stands together. 

But, there was something that Aussie management didn’t smell and it was the fact that the veteran southpaw David Warner was in the twilight of his Test career. What they were supposed to do was find a like-to-like replacement for Warner, who can serve in the opening slot alongside Khawaja. But the OZ camp didn’t prepare enough to execute a smooth execution as Warner’s Test career was nearing its end. 

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The ‘Warner Void’ getting wider: A statistical perspective

Finally, there came a day for which the Aussie management didn’t look planned and prepared and it was the veteran opener David Warner’s Test retirement. The third and last Test of the three-match home series against Pakistan happened to be the last Test appearance for Warner with the baggy green cap. 

What followed Warner’s retirement was something written on the walls owing to the short-sighted approach of the OZ think-tank. It was a constant shuffle of the opening partners for Warner’s left alone mate, Usman Khawaja that created an instability for the WTC 2023 champions. 

Openers to play after David Warner's retirement

After Warner’s departure, Australia have played six other batters as openers alongside Usman Khawaja. It also includes two different openers they played with in the first Test in Perth of the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 against England. Khawaja has batted in 29 innings, scoring 1,712 runs, hitting two half-centuries and a century, with an average of 31.92, which dipped compared to the one he had while opening alongside Warner in the 16 innings before the latter's retirement. 

While opening the innings with Warner in 16 innings after WTC 2023 final till Warner's retirement, Khawaja had scored 716 runs with an amazing average of 44.75, hitting four half-centuries and a century. 

Apart from Khawaja, the young batter Sam Konstas has been the only opener to bat in 10 innings for Australia since Warner left the field. All other opening experiments include the likes of Travis Head, Steve Smith, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, and Jake Weatherald. 

Conclusion: Must have to figure out ‘stability’ to avoid long-term repercussions

If Australia want to achieve the positive results in the long-run, they must have to figure out a stable opening pair, which can serve for a long period of time and strengthen the Aussie chances for WTC 2027 final. Usman Khawaja turning 39 later this month is something which is enough to compel Australia to think beyond the veteran Queensland batter. 

So, It’s high time when Australia must invest in the young talents like Sam Konstas or Campbell Kellaway, who could establish themselves as the openers for a long time in future.

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