Australia star cricket David Warner said that even after a series-levelling win at Adelaide, not just Usman Khawaja but the entire team's top-order still reels under "pressure."
For Marnus Labuschagne, he did find form under resolute fifty but batting mainstay Steve Smith and rookie opener Nathan McSweeney continue to search for runs in the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy.
"I think the pressure is on all the top orders, not just ‘Uzzie,” the former Australian left-hander quoted.
Travis Head smashed a memorable hundred at home as Australia bounced back to level the five-match series after a crushing loss in Perth.
"Travis came out and counterpunched and scored a brilliant hundred, and we know he can do it. But it’s everyone else around supporting that," said Warner.
"It’s not just one player in particular, it’s the top six scoring bulk runs and making sure you’re giving rest to the fast bowlers. It was a fast-paced Test in the first game, but this last one was Mitchell Starc at his best as usual with the pink ball," maintained Warner.
Warner continued, "Come, Brisbane, we need to see some big runs from the top order."
Debutant McSweeney in the first Test in Perth had a forgettable show, being stuck LBW by Jasprit Bumrah and scoring 10 and 0. He picked pace in Adelaide and he managed 49 runs. Khawaja has 34 runs in the first two Tests and in his last 16 innings, he reached fifty only once.
Former skipper Smith is also struggling to score runs, having scored 19 in his three innings of the series.
On McSweeney, Warner said: "He’s had four of probably the five hardest jobs when it comes to an opening batsman, and I think he’s handled it well,” Warner said.
“We saw glimpses the other day of the intent that you show when you’re scoring, and there are a lot of question marks around why they chose him, but the glimpses that you’ve seen, we now know why," added Warner.
“He’s got a good temperament, I like the way he sets up, and I think he’s got a good future ahead of him, said former Australian opener.
He maintained, "It’s just this bowling attack from India is relentless if they bowl in partnerships."
On whether Sam Konstas should replace the struggling Khawaja, Warner said: "They would have picked him if they thought he was ready by now. That’s up to the selectors."
"There have also been talks about a Test comeback for gun all-rounder Glenn Maxwell but Warner feels the white ball specialist doesn't deserve that opportunity".
“If you’re not being picked for your Shield team, then why do you deserve it? You’ve got to want it, to want to play four-day cricket,” Warner said.
“Unless he’s putting his hand up, he’s playing all the club cricket stuff and all that, to want to play Test cricket. He in my (opinion), doesn’t deserve that opportunity," he shared.
Maxwell, who has a career average of 26.07 in the format, last played a Test against Bangladesh in September 2017.
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