The pressure around Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja is growing by the day, with two Australian cricket greats admitting both batters are on their last legs.

After a shock loss to South Africa in the World Test Championship final, calls for change have been growing louder when it comes to Australia’s top-order.

The side will have an immediate chance to shake things up when they head to the Caribbean to face the West Indies, with young opener Sam Konstas in line for a recall.

PLAYER RATINGS: ‘Out of his depth’ Blue will be ‘first dropped’ after loss

READ MORE: Munster drops F-bomb in emotional post-game interview

READ MORE: Luai escapes ban over nasty act

Steve Smith is expected to miss at least the first Test due to injury, which should make it easier in theory for selectors to shuffle the deck and bring Konstas back.

However, when the run-scoring machine returns at his usual No.4 spot, it could see either Labuschagne or Khawaja on the chopping block with the Ashes on the horizon.

Speaking on SEN’s Whateley this week, Jason Gillespie was asked whether he believed Labuschagne would retain his spot and admitted the Windies tour was the “last chance” for the polarising batter to turn his career around.

“It’s a difficult question,” the former Aussie quick said.

“Over the last two years, he’s averaged in the mid-20s and he’s got only one hundred. If he does play in the Caribbean, I think it’s definitely last chance saloon, there’s no doubt.

“If he doesn’t perform strongly, then I think he’s at a real risk of not playing in the Ashes … but I suspect either one of Usman or Marnus will miss out in the West Indies.

“That’s my estimation.”

The heat on Khawaja also centres largely around his age, with the left-handed opener set to turn 39 in the midst of the upcoming Ashes series.

Ian Healy is adamant if Khawaja doesn’t turn things around soon, it will be a major “risk” to allow him to head into the five-game battle against England out of form.

“If you limp to the end of your career and the last series you’re hanging out for is the Ashes, it’s going to be a nightmare,” Healy said on SENQ Breakfast.

“England are coming. They’re coming for us big time. They’re picking the right style of bowler and they’re looking at batsmen who can prosper in Australian conditions.

“If you’re not right on the top of your energy levels and your technique – which we’re not at the moment – you’re going to get hurt. In your last series if you’re not there, if you thought it was going to be fun, it’s a nightmare.

“We’re less than six months from this big series we’re supposed to be building towards, and the issues haven’t been fixed. Do we fix them now? Or do we replace them?

“It’s a bit of an unknown who we’re going to replace them with.”

Along with young prodigy Konstas, the other man in contention to force his way into the side moving forward is Josh Inglis, who starred on debut against Sri Lanka.

Gillespie believes that with Smith at No.4 and Travis Head at No.5, as well as all-rounder Cameron Green somewhere in the mix, Inglis could become a potential option at three.

“I think those guys [Smith and Head] are pretty set,” Gillespie said.

“I think ultimately the selectors have got to decide – is Inglis the best man to do the job at three, or is Marnus the best man to do the job at three?

“If they are, then play one of those guys. If not, then reward some performers in domestic cricket with either an opener or a number three who has performed strongly in Sheffield Shield cricket to promote one of those players to bat at three.”

Nathan McSweeney, Jason Sangha, Jake Weatherald and Kurtis Patterson have all been floated as potential options to come into the Test squad.

Sangha is coming off a strong campaign at Shield level, having scored a century in South Australia’s triumphant win in the final, while McSweeney was given a brief opportunity in the Aussie team last summer, only to be axed shortly after.

Patterson had a short stint in the Test side in 2019 and hasn’t featured since, but enjoyed a return to form during the most recent domestic season.

The series against the Windies kicks off on June 26.