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<\/p>\nAndrew McDonald has revealed two in-form ODI batters are in the mix to bat at No.3 for Australia during its first Test tour of South Africa since Sandpapergate.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Proteas have received a promising update on star quick Kagiso Rabada as injuries test their pace stocks and a new bowling leader prepares to step up.<\/p>\n
All of this and more in the latest edition of Cricket Daily.<\/p>\n
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\ufeffWatch Australia\u2019s Tour of South Africa Live & Exclusive on Fox Cricket, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n IN-FORM ODI BATTERS IN THE MIX FOR AUSTRALIA<\/p>\n Cooper Connolly and Josh Inglis have drawn attention following their impressive ODI series against Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n Connolly was named player of the series, while Inglis finished off the series with a 103-run knock in the third and final game.<\/p>\n It comes as Australian coach Andrew McDonald opened up on the upcoming Test series against South Africa, with Connolly and Inglis both in the mix at No.3, a position held by Marnus Labuschagne for the majority of his Test career.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re open minded to that, definitely. Some of our best openers have gone from five to opening,\u201d McDonald said.<\/p>\n \u201cTravis went from five to opening, and \u2018Uzzie\u2019 went from five to opening. I think it\u2019s all about timing and how prepared they are for that.<\/p>\n Cooper Connolly had a strong series for Australia against Zimbabwe with a high score of 78 in the second ODI.Source: AFP<\/p>\n \u201c\u2018Coop\u2019 hasn\u2019t played a lot of first-class cricket, so his experiences are quite narrow.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s played a lot of white-ball cricket in recent times. Can that translate into being a top order option? Or is he better suited through the middle?\u201d<\/p>\n For Inglis, the belief is also there from McDonald, with the ODI keeper around the mark in recent years.<\/p>\n \u201cJosh Inglis has been the reserve batter for a long period of time, and people have debated whether he could have opened (when a vacancy arose in 2024-25). We think he\u2019s got the skillset to potentially bat anywhere in that order.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, we feel as though we\u2019ve got two good options\u2026 (and) if anything were to move, we\u2019ve got players that are up and running in the Australia A squad in India.\u201d<\/p>\n Inglis hits ton as Aussies beat Zimbabwe | 01:26<\/p>\n With Australia\u2019s batting order struggling for consistency recently, much has been made of possible changes ahead of the South Africa series.<\/p>\n For McDonald, those conversations are nothing new.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not a checkpoint where you go, \u2018Oh, suddenly we need to talk about the batting order\u2019 \u2026 those conversations are always happening,\u201d McDonald said.<\/p>\n \u201cAt this stage, we haven\u2019t felt the need to change too much of that in terms of the batting order and line-up.\u201d<\/p>\n Labuschagne made scores of one and 31 in the first Test against Bangladesh before managing just four runs in the second, where Australia only batted once.<\/p>\n McDonald has also tipped Travis Head to remain as Australia\u2019s opener despite his recent international innings.<\/p>\n Josh Inglis had 103 runs in his final ODI match against Zimbabwe, with the Australians winnings the series 3-0.Source: AFP<\/p>\n \u201cThe Travis Head one is interesting. He\u2019s done well opening,\u201d McDonald said.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you move the part that\u2019s been incredibly successful across the last 12 months? It\u2019s a question that we will ask ourselves.<\/p>\n \u201cBut as it sits at the moment, I\u2019d say we\u2019re pretty comfortable with him opening and the way he\u2019s gone about it.\u201d<\/p>\n Following the ODI series, both Connolly and Inglis spoke about the possibility of returning to Test cricket against South Africa.<\/p>\n Connolly wasn\u2019t worried about where he would come in if called up, adding: \u201cWhether that\u2019s at three or it\u2019s in the middle order.\u201d<\/p>\n And for Inglis, the opportunity to play is simply more important than the position.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll bat wherever they ask me to if it gets me a game.\u201d<\/p>\n Australia will have some tough calls to make ahead of the upcoming series, but the pair who impressed during the ODI series against Zimbabwe are firmly in the mix for a Test recall.<\/p>\n Head tons up as Aussies win series | 02:08<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/p>\n ODI PLAYER RATINGS: Aussies who nailed World Cup audition; major threat to \u2018Big Three\u2019 grows<\/a><\/p>\n