Australia's batting line up in the Test immediately prior to the tour had been Rick McCosker, Ian Davis, Gary Cosier, Greg Chappell, David Hookes and Doug Walters. Poor early tour form from Cosier and Davis saw opportunities open up in the Test team for Sergeant, who was one of the better performing batsmen, with scores of 65 at Arundel, 55 against Kent 50 against Somerset Many of these runs were scored with Sergeant opening. Serjeant expressed a desire to bat down the order but Greg Chappell said "he has no say in the matter".