Former Australian Test cricket captain Steve Waugh wants the selectors to stick with their new-look batting line-up for the whole summer.
Middle-order linchpin and former skipper Michael Clarke and opening bat Chris Rogers are among five players to have retired from Test cricket in recent months.
The postponed two-Test tour of Bangladesh means new skipper Steve Smith's revamped side will get their first outing in next month's three-match home series against New Zealand.
"A team coming together under a new captaincy, it's a great chance for Smith to mould his style of play and to get the team playing the style of cricket he wants," Waugh told AAP on Tuesday.
"I don't know who is going to be picked, but Bancroft looks like he might play and if he plays that's great, a new kid playing for Australia and then (Usman) Khawaja (it's) almost a rebirth for him.
Waugh said Joe Burns, uncapped Nic Maddinson and Ed Cowan were other batsman who might get considered.
"I think our bowling is in pretty good shape, but we've got to get our batting settled," he said.
"Whoever we pick, say `right, you guys are in for the season, so let's give you an extended run.'
"You've probably got to give them a little bit of leeway and let them find their feet, particularly a new captain and a new batting order.
"I'd give them this summer to bed the team down and then I think the honeymoon period might be over.
"Let's give them a chance to get established and if they fail a couple of times you've got to give them some breathing space."
Waugh, whose twin Mark is one of the selectors, profited more than most players from being given time to prove himself.
He didn't score his first century until his 27th Test and 43rd innings and was only averaging 30 up to that point.
"I was lucky the selectors were pretty supportive, whereas someone like (fast bowler) Merv Hughes who was in and out of the side for a couple of years, said he just couldn't settle and find his feet," Waugh said.
"You've got to give guys a little bit of time."
Waugh feels starting out at home against New Zealand and West Indies could be better for the new-look side than if they had been pitched into a tricky series overseas.
"We'll beat the West Indies. I think that's almost a given and they will do well against New Zealand, so they've got a bit of time," he said.
"In some ways, it's probably good they didn't go to Bangladesh first up. That would have been a tough assignment.
"They settle in Australian conditions. I think we'll do pretty well."
Share
