Auditions for Australia's top order provides more questions than answers

It could well be a case of back to the drawing board for the Cricket Australia selectors ahead of next month's eagerly anticipated Ashes series.

Finding a suitable top order to take on the English in Perth in five weeks is arguably of greater concern than the ongoing injury woe surrounding skipper Pat Cummins.

Those waiting by their phones in anticipation of squad selection are now midway through their four-match domestic audition.

The chance seems to have all but passed by opener Sam Konstas (above). 

The 20-year-old burst on to the test scene less than a year ago in dazzling fashion during the home series against India. With time away from the international arena to work on his game, his technique has been scrutinised by onlookers and exploited by a stream of opening bowlers. The latest of which, Australian teammate Scott Boland, did so inside four scoreless balls before the youngster partially redeemed himself with a far-from-fluent 53 in his second dig.

The prospect of Marnus Labuschagne partnering Usman Khawaja at the top of the order has come sharply in to focus with the Queenslander doing more than anyone to stake a claim for a starting berth. From being all frozen out by the Baggy Greens, he has done all he can, racking up a fourth century in five outings – the latest of which came against South Australia in Adelaide. He is in red-hot form which will be hard to overlook, particularly when he brings an astonishing test match average of over 61 to the table.

Ordinarily, this wouldn’t be a problem; the old number three has found the old version of himself. But the Australian’s aren’t necessarily looking to fill the spot of first drop and they are looking for an opener to partner the veteran Khawaja.

Labuschagne (17 and 22) was given one chance during the World Test Championship final against South Africa but came unstuck twice in unconvincing fashion against Proteas quick Marco Jansen and would appear to be a square peg in a round hole.

Cameron Green, who will miss the forthcoming ODI series against India in a bid to keep him fit for the Ashes, is far from a shoo-in at number three; notching just one 50 in six innings during the recent tour to West Indies. With his bowling workload likely to increase in the expected absence of Cummins, demoting him to number six would make sense, if he is to play.

Cricket Australia head of selection, George Bailey, arguably has the necessary pieces at his disposal. Assembling them at the right time in and in the correct order to solve the puzzle could prove trickier.