Updated ,first published
Far removed from the scrutiny that surrounded Australia’s horror capitulation against South Africa, an unheralded southpaw was building his case for a call-up at a time when the nation’s under-siege batting line-up has been berated across the cricketing landscape.
But even in the aftermath of striking a seventh Sheffield Shield century on Monday, Jack Clayton has refused to entertain thoughts of a Test debut at the expense of fellow Queenslander Marnus Labuschagne.
“Any person growing up and playing cricket wants to play for Australia I feel, so that’s always been a goal of mine. But at the same time, it sounds cliche, but my main focus is to score runs for Queensland, and then that kind of stuff will eventually take care of itself,” Clayton said.
“I’m just here trying to put our team in a good position to win games, and then if I keep scoring runs I’m going to put my name in contention.”
Clayton played a lone hand in wrestling the Bulls back into their clash with Victoria at the Gabba, as he thwarted a bowling attack boasting fringe international prospect Fergus O’Neill, seven-Test spinner Todd Murphy and one-day international representative Will Sutherland.
The 27-year-old left-hander played a composed knock in Brisbane, bringing up his ton from 194 deliveries while striking eight boundaries after overcoming a knee issue in the off season.
He was dismissed for 104, as his attempted cut shot flew to Campbell Kellaway at gully off the bowling of Matt Hennig, before Queensland ultimately succumbed for 280 in response to Victoria’s first innings of 307.
As the visitors slumped to 6-136 at stumps on day three, Clayton’s knock became all the more important in keep the Bulls in the contest – performing under pressure again, having cemented a reputation for doing so since his century on debut in which he rescued his side from 6-191.
“I always enjoy being in those situations, obviously they can be stressful, but at the same time they can be the most rewarding if you can get your team out of that situation,” Clayton said.
“I want to try to be the guy who helps us get in a better position.”
And it may just be the most timely of his career, as he seeks to thrust his name forward as an option to usurp Labuschagne in the baggy green.
Labuschagne’s place appears untenable at No.3 after averaging 21.83 in the 2-1 series defeat in South Africa, following a period in which he has gone more than three years without a Test century.
Rookie Cooper Connolly failed to ignite coming in for the dropped Beau Webster, but the whole batting unit have faced criticism after being rolled for 99 and 111 in the second and third Tests.
Unless selectors are willing to move either Steve Smith or third-Test centurion Josh Inglis to first drop, they will be on the hunt for a top-order specialist ahead of the four-match series against New Zealand should Labuschagne – averaging 28.87 with one century since the start of 2023 – be axed.
Clayton, who struck half centuries in each of Queensland’s first two Shield games of the summer, now trails only New South Wales opener Ollie Davies for runs this season. The former Brisbane Lions AFL academy prospect’s career average sits at 39 to be one of the few batsmen in the country with an average near 40.
Such has been the consistency he has found, he was talked up by retired Test opener Usman Khawaja as the next cab off the rank.
“It was very nice for him to say that, I just try and go about my business. It doesn’t really change anything for me in terms of how I go about it, but I knew he thought I was a decent batter playing with him, and he always tried to support me when he was here [at the Bulls],” Clayton said.
“I learned a lot from him playing with him for the last four or five years, so for him to publicly go and say that is obviously a really nice thing to do.”
2026-27 Sheffield Shield top run scorers
- Ollie Davies: Five innings, 332 runs, average 66.40, high score 253, one century and one half-century
- Jack Clayton: Five innings, 293 runs, average 73.25, high score 104, one century and two half-centuries
- Jake Doran: Five innings, 281 runs, average 70.25, high score 84 not out, three half-centuries
- Ben McDermott: Four innings, 253 runs, average 63.25, high score 128, one century and one half-century
- Cameron Bancroft: Six innings, 246 runs, average 41, high score 184, one century
- Ben Manenti: Five innings, 234 runs, average 58.50, high score 128, one century
- Sam Konstas: Four innings, 229 runs, average 76.33, high score 151 not out, one century and one half-century
- Kurtis Patterson: Five innings, 219 runs, average 43.80, high score 122, one century and one half-century
“I’ve got a lot of confidence in my game, and I feel like I’ve built my game around my defensive qualities and decision-making. I feel like as a player over the last couple of years I’ve really developed my consistency as well, which has been a real focus of mine: contribute every innings.”
A reshuffle of either Travis Head or Matthew Renshaw back to the middle order could also open the door for Victorian Sam Harper, who’s stint as an opener since the latter stages of the 2025-26 summer (scoring two centuries and a 93 after the Big Bash) has reaped rewards.
The wicketkeeper, who was called into the Test squad in South Africa following a century in India for Australia A, scored a first-innings 63 before being clean bowled by Cameron Gannon shouldering arms on day one. Shortly after being announced as a squad member for Australia’s T20 series against England later this month, he fell for six guiding a swipe outside his off stump straight to third man.
Kellaway (64 and 35) appears to be a long-term proposition, as does teenage ODI representative Ollie Peake (0 and 35).
Neither Sam Konstas nor Kurtis Patterson impressed in New South Wales’ comprehensive loss to Tasmania as the Blues were dismissed for 202 and 144, however each have centuries this campaign and Test runs on the board.
Beardman’s time nears as selectors look to future
Jon Pierik
A West Australian fast bowler mentored by Dennis Lillee has been all but anointed as a future Test player after being drafted into Australia’s one-day international squad to face England.
Pace ace Mahli Beardman, 21, was named in a 14-man ODI squad on Monday that will play three matches against England this month, beginning in Perth next Friday.
Beardman has battled lower-back stress fractures through his young career but impressed on the recent Australia A tour of India, claiming 4-23 and notching speeds in excess of 140km/h in his third game back from injury.
Australia have rested frontline quicks Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood for the series, ensuring Beardman will have ample opportunity to show what he is capable of.
Australia ODI and T20 squads vs England
ODI squad: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Jack Edwards, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Ollie Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Liam Scott, Adam Zampa
T20 Squad: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Nikhil Chaudhary, Tim David, Joel Davies, Jack Edwards, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sam Harper, Spencer Johnson, Mitchell Owen, Lachlan Shaw, Adam Zampa
Selection chairman George Bailey said Beardman, who has had pace great Lillee as his mentor since his mid-teenage years, was firmly in his panel’s plans.
“Mahli Beardman’s recent performances for Australia A were impressive and we are incredibly excited for his return to the national team across the ODI and T20 formats,” Bailey said.
“We think he can continue to develop into an all-format player across the coming years.”
Beardman has also been named in the T20 squad, which will play five games against England, beginning November 21. Mitch Marsh will skipper both teams.
Emerging batting star Ollie Peake is the only Victorian in the ODI squad. Xavier Bartlett and Spencer Johnson will join Beardman as the specialist fast bowlers for the ODI series, while all-rounders Jack Edwards and Liam Scott can also provide pace.
Victorian Sam Harper and NSW wicketkeeper-batsman Lachlan Shaw are potential debutants in the 14-man T20 squad. Travis Head and Cameron Green are among those rested.
“We are in the middle of a highly demanding phase of our schedule,” Bailey said.
“Our multi-format players are transitioning directly from the tour of South Africa into an ODI and T20 series, leaving a narrow window to ensure the squad is physically prepared and fresh for the upcoming New Zealand Test series.
“Then, from when the Test players assemble in Perth through to the conclusion of the 150th anniversary Test against England, the team will have been on the road for more than 100 days.“
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