Batting deficiencies in faltering top order

tional swing man Mohammed Shami in this match.

Each member of the Australian top order has his own special challenges.

SEN statisticians say Travis Head leaves just 15 per cent of balls bowled to him — half as many as Marnus Labuschagne.

Knowing the way he loves to feel bat on ball and struggles to resist the baited hook, rival teams tempt Head outside off stump with gully and third slip on red alert.

This is a deeply ingrained part of his game.

With a Test average floating just under 40, Head is far from terrible, but he is yet to prove himself the heavy-duty anchorman Australia’s next generation needs.

Steve Smith looks tired and flat and the anxieties of bubble life, when a man is always in danger of overcooking in his own juices, may have consumed him.

He’ll be back, but for two home summers in a row teams are bowling smarter to him — and Superman has lost his cape.

India appears to be bowling straight and packing the legside field, and he is struggling to even get off strike.

Matt Wade continues to look good with sharp footwork and a neat array of strokes, but is struggling to seal the deal.

Had he been keeping, his past eight Test scores, which feature five between 20 and 40, would be solid fare. But as a specialist batsman, more is expected of him.

He’s feisty and fearless, but needs a long Test innings to redefine himself.

Green may be yet to post a major score but, significantly, he barely ever looks in trouble.

His defensive blade is broad, his footwork sharp for a big man and, most significantly, his temperament looks sturdy … which it might need to be for many years to come.