Michael Slater, former Australia opener, feels the Test team is heavily dependant on Steve Smith and David Warner, and the lack of runs from the middle order is a matter of great concern, especially with the Ashes only two months away.
Even as Peter Handscomb and Matt Renshaw, who are in their first year of international cricket, have done quite well with the bat, they haven't been dominating. Glenn Maxwell hasn't quite done justice to the opportunities he has got, while Matthew Wade hasn't got scoring. In his last 10 Tests, since January 2015, the wicketkeeper-batsman has scored only 263 runs, at an average of 20.23.
"I'm worried about our side - it still relies on Warner, Smith," Slater exclaimed. "(Peter) Handscomb is at five, (Glenn) Maxwell's got to shine. There's a lot of interest there. (Matthew) Wade as 'keeper, he's got to start scoring runs." Maxwell has been in and out of the side, and often got opportunities because of his success in limited overs in the subcontinent. His offbreaks work as an added advantage when Australia tour the subcontinent. But barring a century against India in Ranchi, he has little to show in the Test circuit.
The team has been heavily dependant on the form of Smith and Warner to win them matches in the last couple of years, and it will continue to be as they go into the Ashes. While Steve Smith is the top-ranked batsman in the world, Warner remains a potent force at home. The destructive opener's form did dip a bit in the 2016-17 season, but his record at home has been outstanding, where he has averaged 59.21 in 33 Tests.
"The beauty about Australian cricket is that it is so strong and there are 10, 15, 20 batters waiting in the wings for anyone to make a mistake in the Australian team and take their spot. I feel happy with what I've been doing and I feel like I belong in the team at the moment but it's a fickle game and can change pretty quickly."