Australia's greatest Test captain says consistency will be the key for whichever player gets the nod in the middle order
Pick and stick at No.6 says Steve Waugh
Steve Waugh wants Australia's No.6 Test batsman to be given the entire summer to prove he belongs.
Filling the problematic position shapes as selectors' most difficult decision leading up to November 23, when the Ashes begin in Brisbane.
Some 20 men have batted at six in the Test side following Mike Hussey's retirement in 2013 – the most recent being Glenn Maxwell and Hilton Cartwright in Bangladesh.
It's an open secret the No.6 spot is up for grabs again with Australia eager to extract extra output with the bat and may overlook an allrounder to get the best batsman into the team.
The race is wide open. Maxwell, Cartwright, the Marsh brothers, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Moises Henriques and Marcus Stoinis all have claims of different strength.
Waugh, who is preparing for his annual Captain's Ride cycling event that raises funds for children with rare diseases, believes whoever is picked must play all five Tests against England.
"It's been a bit of a revolving door that position and it doesn't do anybody's confidence any good," former Test skipper Waugh told AAP.
"You'd like to think they will be given at least five Tests to prove themselves.
"Let's pick and stick."
Waugh's comments reflect those made by Usman Khawaja recently, who said suggested batters' indecision in the middle stemmed from insecurity over their positions in the side.
"You hear things like 'the players are playing afraid' or whatnot, but that's what happens when you drop players all the time," Khawaja told ABC Grandstand.
"We've been doing that a fair bit lately."
Australia opted to 'pick and stick' with the role in the last home Ashes, when George Bailey played all five Tests, making important contributions such as the 28-run over he smashed James Anderson for, and key catches at short leg in the field.
Waugh, who scored six of his 32 Test tons from No.6, expected the stand-out option to become clear during the early rounds of the JLT Sheffield Shield.
"There's 10 names I could throw up. It should be whoever does well in those Shield games," he said.
"Front of the queue are Maxwell and Cartwright ... but you could pull a name out of a hat right now."
Waugh noted the vast majority of Test newcomers at No.6 require some time to adjust.
"You've got to marshal the lower order, that takes a bit of skill and trust. You've got to know your game, you've got to be flexible – it all takes a bit of getting used to," he said.
"Particularly if you bat higher in Shield cricket. Not many Test players bat at No.6 for their state, so you're sort of out of position."
Regarding a likely outcome in the showpiece series, Waugh suggested Australia would win "3-1 or 4-1 if Ben Stokes isn't here".
Waugh will lead a group that is cycling more than 800 kilometres over six days in early November, with Tasmania to host the third edition of the Captain's Ride.
"We want a ride that is difficult because we want to emulate the attitude of the kids, who show great courage and character against the odds ever day," he said.
2017-18 International Fixtures
Magellan Ashes Series
First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets
Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets
Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets
Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets
Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets
ODI Series v England
First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets
Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets
Third ODI SCG, January 21. Buy tickets
Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets
Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28. Join the ACF
Prime Minister's XI
PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets
T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series
First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets
Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets
Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets
Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14
Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16
Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18
Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21