Test legend Justin Langer says he’s just as confused as Australian cricket fans about the unhealthy merry-go-round opening position, but he’s backing Sam Konstas to get the job done if selected.

Just who will open alongside Usman Khawaja for this summer’s blockbuster Ashes series remains a huge talking point, with Sheffield Shield performances expected to settle the debate over the coming weeks.

In Langer’s eyes, Cameron Green should bat at No.3, and the race is down to Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris and Marnus Labuschagne for the vacant opening position.

Konstas, who turned 20 on Thursday, became an instant hit last summer when he reverse ramped his way to 60 off 65 balls in his Test debut against a red-hot Jasprit Bumrah.

The rising star has struggled since then, with his batting average sitting at 16.3 after five Tests, but recent scores of 109 and 49 for Australia A have revived hopes he will be in form for the Ashes.

“He showed last year that he’s got the temperament to do it,” Langer said.

“Bumrah’s fast bowling last year was the best fast bowling I’ve ever seen in in my career.

“So for Konstas to have the courage … I remember sitting next to (Matthew) Hayden and (Ricky) Ponting in the Channel Seven commentary box and we’re looking: ‘Who is this clown? What is he doing?’

“But then … he won the hearts of all Australians doing it. He took on the best bowler in the world.”

Konstas was surprisingly axed for the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year, and he was also overlooked for the Test Championship loss to South Africa.

“I found it confusing, and a lot of people felt confused,” Langer said.

“David Warner played for 14 years and had 13 opening partners. Usman Khawaja has had (five) opening partners in a year. And that instability, it can’t be healthy.

“The very fact that we’re talking about it (who is going to open), and the public are a bit confused about it, that’s saying something.”

Konstas endured form struggles in the Shield last summer as he attempted to slowly work his way into some innings.

Langer would love Konstas to embrace his attacking identity.

“I mean, if Michael Slater had have gone on to be a defensive batter, he wouldn’t have been Michael Slater. If Adam Gilchrist had been defensive, he wouldn’t have been Adam Gilchrist,” Langer said.

“Sam will find his feet, he’ll find his identity as a cricketer. And the sooner he does that, and he gets encouraged to do that, the better.”

Langer says both England and Australia will enter the Ashes with serious injury concerns.

For Australia, the fitness of skipper Pat Cummins (back) is the most worrying aspect.

England pace duo Mark Wood (knee) and Jofra Archer (elbow/thumb) are underdone, while skipper Ben Stokes has battled a shoulder injury this year.

Langer says England lack a world-class spinner, and it could be an area to exploit.

Meanwhile, Langer has warned Cricket Australia against rushing in to privatise the BBL, saying it would be best to observe whether it works in England first.

“I would like to see Australian cricket hold their nerve and see how it goes over the next year or two years, because there’s a perfect case study there in The Hundred,” Langer said.

“The obvious thing is to just jump on board and do it. Sometimes the obvious thing isn’t the right thing to do.”

Source: AAP