Mark Taylor has called on Michael Clarke to bat at No.4 in the Ashes, saying there’s been too much pressure placed on new batsmen in the past with the Australian captain coming in down the order.
Former Test skipper Taylor says Australian sides have traditionally functioned best when the star run-maker batted in the top 4, and rookies earned their stripes further down the batting line-up.
This despite the fact Clarke, one of the great batsmen of the modern era, has his best record as a No.5.
Taylor says young players like Usman Khawaja and Phil Hughes have been exposed in recent years by being asked to come in at No.3 or No.4 and produce when the heat is on at the start of the innings.
With Australia to fill a vacant position in the middle-order for the first Test in Brisbane, Taylor says it’s vital for the future of the batting order that there’s a permanent return to the transition process of yesteryear.
“When I came into the Australian side in 1989, AB (Allan Border) was batting at 4, Dean Jones at 5 and Steve Waugh at 6,” said Taylor on Wednesday.
“Eventually those two started playing better than Allan and they forced Allan to bat 6, which was perfect. It’s the way it should be.
“What’s happened in recent times is our better players have been batting at 5, and it forces the young guys to bat at three or four and they start struggling.
“They’re under more pressure and they eventually find their way out of the team, which I think is harsh on them.
“You should bat down the order and work your way up.
“Eventually over time if you cement your spot at 5 or 6, you then force Michael Clarke to bat 6 because you’re making more runs than he is.
“I’d like to see the captains and the better players move forward and give the young guys an opportunity to get settled.”
For the fifth Test of the last Ashes series, Australia’s two most experienced batsmen Shane Watson and Clarke batted at 3 and 4 respectively.
George Bailey appears to be the leading batting contender to come into the side in Brisbane, with West Australian Shaun Marsh also in the mix.
Taylor said first-class runs over the next couple of weeks could decide that position, but he leans slightly towards Marsh because of the century he scored for Australia on debut back in 2011 in Sri Lanka.
Injury and inconsistent form has limited Marsh since then, while Bailey has gained legs with his performances and leadership with the Australian ODI team.
Taylor said selectors needed to pick someone who can keep the scoreboard ticking, see off the second new ball and handle England spinner Graeme Swann.
“To me I’ve got Shaun Marsh just in front at the moment because he’s made a Test hundred on debut and in the games he’s played he’s shown he can do it,” Taylor said.
