Doubts dog Test top six line- up

AUSTRALIA may have no choice but to select their Test top six on gut instinct rather than results after yet another scandalous batting performance in Perth.

Coach Justin Langer has billed this one- day series against South Africa as a selection shootout for the first Test against India, but yesterday a host of candidates once again capitulated in front of his eyes.

Test great and recently departed selector Mark Waugh says he can’t remember there being more uncertainty heading into a Test summer, and the latest inept performance – admittedly on a wild pitch that captured the spirit of the old WACA – raised only more questions.

The problem with starting the summer in Melbourne Cup week is it’s hard to get out of the barriers.

But was yesterday’s meek 21,450 turnout at the state- of- the- art 60,000 capacity Perth Stadium more to do with the horses, or the crisis engulfing cricket on and off the field?

South Africa’s world- class pace attack led by the unstoppable Dale Steyn tore through Test incumbent Travis Head and Shane Warne- pick D’Arcy Short in the third over, and when all- format opener Aaron Finch was rapped on the pads Australia was in crisis at 3- 8.

Ultimately bowled out for 152, it was Australia’s lowest ODI score batting first for two years, which sadly reinforces the depressing fact that this kind of disaster is far from an aberration.

Langer stressed in the prematch the importance of at least batting out the 50 overs. But they couldn’t even make it to 40 and suffered the humiliation of having to go back into the field for another half an hour before the dinner was ready to be served.

Finch is considered a certainty for the first Test and Head as close to, but still doubts linger.

How will Finch handle the swinging new ball when he hasn’t opened in Sheffield Shield for several years?

When will Head translate promise into consistent output?

Chris Lynn doesn’t want to be discounted as a Test candidate but he could only hold on for so long before he became the first of three victims for Andile Phehlukwayo.

Glenn Maxwell might have been hard done by this year but yesterday was a prime opportunity to perform a rescue mission that could have changed perceptions, yet he lasted just eight balls to be out for 11.

It was unclear whether Maxwell was blowing up about the catch that was claimed or his poor shot choice, but the latter would have been more appropriate.

Marcus Stoinis has been flagged as a potential challenger to Mitchell Marsh’s position as the Test all- rounder, but he looked unconvincing for his 14- ball stay.

Nathan Coulter- Nile top scored at No. 9 with 34 to further embarrass those higher up the order.