Despite a 3-0 Test series win over the West Indies, Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald has acknowledged that the team’s top-order combinations remain unsettled heading into the Ashes later this year.

Speaking on SEN Radio, McDonald pointed out that the upcoming rounds of the Sheffield Shield will be crucial in deciding who earns a spot for the first Ashes Test in Perth this November. The current opening pair — Usman Khawaja and youngster Sam Konstas — struggled in the West Indies, averaging 19.50 and 8.33 respectively.

“We’re not going to shy away from the fact that the Sheffield Shield will be big for certain individuals,” said McDonald. “It feels like we’re still a little bit unsettled at the top of the order. There’s a lot of cricket ahead to gather that information.”

McDonald confirmed that players like Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris, and Matthew Renshaw are in contention, along with Nathan McSweeney and Jake Weatherald, who recently impressed with fifties for Australia A against Sri Lanka A.

While Konstas had a disappointing series, McDonald sees the experience as a valuable step in his development. “He’s a highly talented player still figuring out how to blend his natural aggression with solid technique. These tough conditions will help him grow.”

The coach emphasized that domestic form would be under close scrutiny. “Just like last year, the microscope will be on early Shield games. Performances there will be closely tied to Ashes selection,” he added.

McDonald concluded that while Konstas had a setback, he remains in Australia’s long-term plans. “We believe he has more to offer than just being a disruptor at the top. It’s just a matter of when we’ll see his full potential.”