The major concern in another Australian batting collapse

Australia’s top order has had another tough time in the first innings of the first Test against the West Indies in Bridgetown, Barbados.

While Usman Khawaja made an important 47 as Australia reached 180, both Sam Konstas (3) and Cameron Green (3) failed as both fell to Shamar Joseph.

It’s now the third innings that Green has had in the No. 3 slot after featuring there in the WTC Final loss v South Africa and he’s made just seven runs at an average of 2.33 at first drop.

Clearly being more suited to No. 4 in the long-term, Aussie cricket great Ian Healy was bemused that skipper Pat Cummins was talking about the all-rounder as a long-term No. 3 given that Nathan McSweeney has long been earmarked for that role if the opportunity opened up to him.

Healy also pointed out a technical flaw of Green’s that must be fixed if he’s to make a good fist of it against the top order.

“I do find it a little bemusing that Pat Cummins is saying that Cameron Green is a long-term No. 3,” Healy said on SENQ Breakfast.

“Previously about four months ago, they said Nathan McSweeney is a No. 3 moving forward for as long as you like and possible captain.

“Hopefully nothing’s changed and he's just forgotten about ‘Sweens’. He should be our number 3 and Cam Green can enjoy some other place in the order.

“Cam Green, he's swishing a little bit too hard at the ball across the line of touch, and getting caught in slips.

“Zak Crawley, the tall man and England opener made a change within a game (to combat that). He was doing that in the first innings (like Green). But in the second innings, it was obvious he was trying to play straight with the full face of the bat.

“He went on to make 65 in one of the most historic run chases (chasing 371 at Headingley against India).

“So, Cam Green has just got to get his full face coming straight at the ball.”

Robert Craddock agreed with Heals' take lamenting the fact Australia have "no real No 3".

"This top order is a worry," he said on SENQ. "This country does not have a No 3 batsman.

"The challenges is to get Marnus back, there is no one to replace him.

"Green plays with hard hands, he’s pushing outside off stump and for For a no 3 batsman that’s treacherous.

"I love Cam Green as a player but he’s just not got the look of a No 3 that’s going to let a lot of balls go."

SEN Cricket’s Bharat Sundaresan was also critical of Australia’s top order after the axing of Marnus Labuschagne, particularly with how unequipped both Green and Steve Smith’s injury replacement Josh Inglis (5) looked out in the middle on Day 1.

“These collapses are getting a bit too familiar, and you should worry if you’re an Australian cricket fan, in terms of their batting anyway,” he said on SEN's Whateley.

“What stands out is probably they’re not ready yet for the positions that they’ve been put into.

“We’ve heard this about Sam Konstas, from those who’ve seen him in junior cricket, and also in Australia cricket that the inside edge, you can challenge it and you can go past it, get him bowled or LBW when he’s defending, that’s exactly what happened.

“Cam Green’s innings was probably the most failing of the lot, that number three, well now you’ve seen him bat in that position, all three times he’s just looked like a cat on a hot tin roof, he’s just poking at everything.

“For me, Cam Green has suddenly become a concern, because if you are at number three, it’s more about temperament than technique.

“Usman Khawaja, the 47 he made, that’s the pure definition of experience and test cricket right, if you keep getting chances you make the most of it, which Cam Green could not.

“I think Australia will be the team sleeping better tonight, because I guess they can’t collapse yet again, and the pitch should get slightly easier to bat on.

“I think it'll be more a case of who's character stands out now more than anything else.”

Luckily for Australia, Travis Head (59) was able to rescue the innings somewhat to help the visitors reach 180. The West Indies reached 4/57 at Stumps in reply as Australia lead by 123 runs.

Play recommences on Day 2 in Barbados at midnight. Listen to every ball LIVE on SEN and the SEN app.