Only two members of Australia’s 13-player squad – Josh Inglis and Scott Boland – missed selection for that first Test in Darwin, though the Aussies have the option of calling on other players from outside the squad should they wish to make changes for the second Test.
Waugh, a former national selector and an Australian batting legend that scored 20 Test centuries during his international career, suggested something was amiss in the Aussies’ top-order and newcomer Jake Weatherald and veteran No.3 Marnus Labuschagne were the players under the most pressure to hold their spot going forward.
“It’s really about the batting and the top three,” Waugh told Fox Cricket.
“OK, we’ll leave Travis Head (opening) there for the moment. I don’t think he’s an opener, but anyway, he’s going to open.
“It’s Jake Weatherald and Marnus Labuschagne. Those guys need runs. There’s no doubt about it.
“I’m just wondering whether the selectors have said them to before this Test: ‘OK, you’ve got these two Test matches to prove your spot in the team’.
“I’m concerned about Jake Weatherald. Looking at him, he’s trying to tinker with his technique. I think there’s lot of things going on in his head.
“He’s making life very difficult for himself and Marnus, we said he batted better in the second innings. But he could have been out earlier a number of times.
“He hasn’t made big runs for a while. He’s got runs in the bank, which is sort of keeping him in the side.
“I think it’s a 50/50 call on these guys for the next Test. I think Weatherald’s probably the one in the biggest danger. Marnus, I’d give him another go.”
