There is plenty of discussion around who should be in Australia’s side for the third Test in Cape Town and that is before we even have a finale for the second Test which remains delayed by rain on day five.
But former Australian star Usman Khawaja has offered his view on the decision to open with Nic Maddinson in the first two matches of the series.
Nic Maddinson scored four runs across two innings in the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha.AP Photo/Themba Hadebe
“Let’s just go back to the start, everyone was shocked, I expected him to bat five. I thought 100 per cent that Renshaw was going to open, and when he didn’t I couldn’t believe it,” Khawaja said on Kayo Sports.
“You have an opener with Matt Renshaw, who’s done it for the last couple of years at Queensland. Obviously, I’ve been there, and I know he got 190 that game, but there’s nothing to say that if he opened he wouldn’t get more runs. And then Maddinson might get runs in the middle.
“I just think when you’ve got a really good opener and opening is such a hard spot, get the opener in there. They had a plan; it didn’t work. I’m sure they’re going to think about this in the next after this game’s over.”
Khawaja added that plans could also change if Cameron Green is fit to return to the side for the third Test.