Lawry/Simpson, Slater/Taylor, Hayden/Langer, Warner/Rogers - a hallmark of the Australian Test cricket team has been the strong partnerships between the two men opening the batting.
But ahead of this year's Ashes, Aussie selectors are scrambling to lock-in an opening batsman to partner the incumbent Usman Khawaja.
With several contenders lining up for their respective Sheffield Shield sides in the coming weeks, all eyes will be on which man will grab the opportunity by the scruff of the neck.
The Sporting News breaks down the candidates in line to partner Khawaja at the top of the order this summer.
MORE: David Warner predicts Ashes domination
Who will open the batting for Australia in the Ashes?
Marnus Labuschagne
After being dropped from Australia's Test squad for July's series against the West Indies, Marnus Labuschagne has responded with three tons to kick off the summer.
Australian captain Pat Cummins spoke glowingly about Labuschagne's recent form and highlighted the return of certain traits that once made him indispensable.
"Just watching a few of the highlights, he looks like he’s really busy showing that intent, which I think is when he’s at his best," said Cummins at Kayo Sports’ Summer of Cricket Launch.
Having once been a fixture of the men's Test setup, the 31-year-old has run into a rough patch of form in recent years.
His last Test hundred was against England in the fourth Ashes match of the 2023 series which took place on UK soil.
"Marnus is definitely in contention to get back into this team," added Australian Test great Adam Gilchrist.
Since David Warner's retirement from Test cricket, Australia have failed to properly replace him. Warner addressed the battle for his old spot, pointing to Labuschagne's experience as the reason he should return to the Test XI.
"Marnus has obviously come out of the blocks very well," said Warner.
"When you’ve got a lot of Test cricket under your belt, you know what he’s capable of."
However, Labuschagne has experience up and down the batting order, giving selectors the flexibility to deploy the Queenslander in multiple different positions.
"Does he open? I wouldn’t like to see him open. I’d like him to shuffle back to three," said Warner.
Sam Konstas
Ten months ago Sam Konstas set the MCG alight in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar series, taking the match to the Indians on the way to a rapid 60-run innings.
However, Konstas' recent Test form has tailed off, struggling to get going in any of his knocks over in the West Indies back in June.
"I think maybe after the West Indies, a lot of people have written Sam Konstas off. Maybe he’s not the option but I think he’s well and truly in the running," said Gilchrist.
On the first-class stage, Konstas has begun to rebuild, scoring a ton for Australia A in a recent clash against India A.
"Young Sam Konstas scored that hundred in the Australia A series, I thought he was outstanding there," said Warner.
"I don’t think we’ve seen exactly what Sam Konstas can do.
"Last year coming out, he got overwhelmed by the occasion and we saw some very highlighted cricket.
"I’ve seen him build innings and I’d like to see him go back to that."
Despite not having faced England to date in his young Test career, Warner has backed Konstas to make a statement if given an opportunity, particularly against their quicks.
"They don’t have a Jasprit Bumrah so he doesn’t have to worry about that," said Warner.
"They’ve got some fast bowlers, but he can tackle that.
"I’d like them to stick with Sam and give him a crack.
"I can understand what he’s going through. As a 21-year-old old guy playing cricket for Australia you feel like a rockstar. You know it’s going to have that repercussion as well when you get dropped."
Matt Renshaw
Another batsman in the running to partner Khawaja at the top of the order is Queensland's Matt Renshaw.
The 29-year-old first played Test cricket for Australia between 2016-2018, then returned briefly in 2023 before being dropped following a tough tour of India.
"When you look at the way Matt Renshaw has changed his setup, he used to step across and probably off-balance himself quite a bit," said Warner.
"He went away for a couple of years and learned how to get that fixed.
"He’s got that Matthew Hayden presence, he’s got the game to take you on.
"He’s played Test cricket, he’s scored hundreds, and he’s got that hunger and determination to score big hundreds."
Renshaw scored a ton in his last Sheffield Shield outing, importantly, in partnership with Khawaja at the top of the Queensland order.
The Bulls have three Shield games before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium in Perth for Renshaw to make his case for that available opening spot.