Former Australian cricketer Bryce McGain has revealed his left-field choice to open the batting for Australia in the first Test against India.
“I’ve been calling a bit of the Sheffield Shield and I’ve called every ball WA have played. There’s a fellow who’s been opening the batting for them called Sam Whiteman,” McGain told SEN Mornings.
“In his last six Shield games he’s scored 550 runs. He’s notched tree 100s and three 50s. That’s where I’d be looking.
“They haven’t looked there (Western Australia) for whatever reason. I know they’ve spoken about Usman Khawaja as a potential opener, maybe we could put (Marnus) Labuschagne up, maybe Matthew Wade could open the batting.
“But it might be better to pick someone who has the form. Sometimes the answer is right under your nose."
McGain says Australian coach Justin Langer would be a big fan of Whiteman’s game.
“Whiteman is a little left-hander, I reckon Justin Langer would love him. He’s a little Langer clone,” McGain said.
“He’s opening the batting and he’s just doing a terrific job. He knows where his off stump is, he’s pretty positive as an opening batsman. That’s where I’d be looking.
“I know it would be a left-field choice as he’s not even in the squad for the first Test, but that’s who I’d pick.”
Whiteman has tallied 333 runs in four matches at an average of 55.5 with two centuries while opening the batting for WA in the Sheffield Shield this season.
The four-Test series against India begins on Thursday at the Adelaide Oval.