Australia Stay Open-Minded on Batting Order for Second Test as Green Battles Fitness Race

Australia will not lock in a fixed batting order for the second Test against South Africa at Gqeberha, with coach Andrew McDonald insisting selectors will keep shuffling the deck based on conditions.

The open-minded approach paid off handsomely in Durban. Selectors surprised many by sending Nic Maddinson — playing his first Test in nearly a decade — out to open with Travis Head, while specialist opener Matt Renshaw dropped to number five. Renshaw responded with a match-winning 190 in the first innings and another 82 in the second as Australia crushed South Africa by 214 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

McDonald said the panel of himself, George Bailey and Tony Dodemaide deliberately avoid rigid roles. "Every time we plan out an opponent and surface, we're really open-minded to what our batting order can look like," he told reporters. Not everyone agrees: former captain Steve Waugh urged selectors to stop experimenting, arguing Renshaw should stay at five after his success.

Meanwhile, all-rounder Cameron Green remains doubtful for Sunday's Test after missing Durban with an abdominal strain. McDonald confirmed Green has not yet resumed batting and still has hurdles to clear over the next three to four days. Australia name their side at the toss, with South Africa desperate to respond after the Durban thrashing.