Australia's batting order could be set for a shake-up after failing to fire in a thumping eight-wicket defeat to India in the Boxing Day Test.
Marnus Labuschagne's top score of 48 in the hosts' first innings at the MCG meant it was the first time since 1988 Australia have finished a home Test without any of their batsmen posting a half-century.
Australia narrowly avoided being bowled out for less than 200 in three consecutive completed home innings for the first time since 1993 when tailenders Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood dragged them to that tally in the second innings.
It is now six consecutive home Tests against India without an Australian making a hundred, dating back through the tourists' 2-1 series win in 2018-19.
This summer's woes have come with opener David Warner (groin) sidelined and Steve Smith going through a form slump in cricket's longest format.
Joe Burns looks most vulnerable after his struggles at the top of the order.
Warner is likely to return in the third Test but Travis Head is no certainty to retain his spot.
Only Tim Paine (43.50), Labuschagne (32.25) and Wade (27.75) are averaging more than 23 this series.
Marcus Harris is on the selection fringe and fellow Victorian Will Pucovski is recovering from the bout of concussion that ruled him out of a Test debut in Adelaide.
Australia also have time for players from outside the bubble to serve their mandatory quarantine period and come in before the third Test starts on January 7.
Speaking soon after the defeat to India, captain Paine denied personnel is the issue with Australia's batting.
"I just think we need to bat better," Paine said.
"It doesn't matter who's out there, we need to be scoring runs, that's our job as a top-seven of the Australian cricket team.
"If you're not, obviously they'll look for other people but I think we've got the best people here at the moment."
Paine was full of praise for India's bowlers after the five-pronged attack - reduced to four after Umesh Yadav's calf injury in the second innings - caused the hosts plenty of trouble throughout the second Test.
"They've been extremely disciplined and we haven't been able to get partnership together," Paine said.
"But from what I've seen watching, say Marnus and Steve Smith, in their Test career, this is not the first time teams have targeted their stumps.
"That happens every single Test match and these guys are executing it better.
"Someone like Steve in particular hasn't been able to get in yet and once he does, he'll find a way as he always has and the rest of us will follow suit but we need to improve."
