Opener problem ‘people don’t realise’ as great reveals solution to batting crisis

Former Australian opener Usman Khawaja has called on national selectors to abandon makeshift top-order experiments and pick specialist openers following Australia's first-innings collapse to 99 against South Africa in Gqeberha. Khawaja argued that opening is a unique mental and technical challenge that cannot simply be filled by middle-order batsmen, advocating for Matthew Renshaw to return to the top of the order.

Australia reached 4/156 in their second innings, trailing by 170 runs at stumps on day four after Travis Head led a fightback with an unbeaten 87. Khawaja also evaluated Marnus Labuschagne's ongoing form slump, noting opponents have successfully targeted his technical tendencies since his peak Test average.