Australia's former Test captain Michael Clarke has urged calm at the selection table for the Sri Lanka tour, backing Sam Konstas to retain his spot at the top of the order.
Australia is considering opening the batting with Travis Head, which would potentially put Konstas' role in the side in doubt.
The Aussies are in Dubai to prepare for the series, with the first match to be played in Galle on January 29, and they may have partially shown their hand during practice.
LIVE UPDATES: Australian Open 2025, day 12 results and highlights
In their latest session, reports stated regular opener Usman Khawaja was partnered by Marnus Labuschagne against the new ball, with Konstas not seen until the afternoon.
Speaking after he was unveiled as the 64th inductee into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame on Thursday, Clarke, who is the last Australian skipper to win a Test series in Sri Lanka, said selectors should hold fire on moving Head up the order at the expense of Konstas, as has been mooted.
"I think he [Konstas] would be happy to play," Clarke said.
"I don't think we need too much [change] in terms of structure. We've just come off a win. Conditions are very different but Trav has been extraordinary through the middle order.
"The other thing is I don't think it's going to matter. If you're going to open the batting, you're going to start against spin.
"If you bat five, you're going to walk in against spin. Get used to facing spin bowling because you'll get two Test matches of it.
Sam Konstas and Jasprit Bumrah at stumps on day one of the Sydney Test. Getty
"Sam's an enormous talent and I think Australian cricket continues to produce young, talented players in men's and women's cricket.
"You learn so many things by having good senior players around you. Sam is one of the examples where he's lucky to have these senior players around him."
Australia has already locked up a World Test Championship final berth, which could allow for experimentation with the batting order. Steve Smith is likely to play and captain the side, despite an elbow injury, which is a bonus for the Aussies due to the spin-friendly conditions.
"He's so important for us over there in those conditions with the way he plays spin and his knowledge of the game," Clarke said of Smith.
"I assume Australia will play at least two spinners. I'd be surprised if Sri Lanka played more than two quicks. They might just play one.
"There's some youngsters around [the Australian setup] to learn the ropes … and see Sri Lankan conditions. It's very different to anywhere else in the world."
