Steve Smith stated that he wanted to open in Test cricket after David Warner retired, and the team management supported his decision because it gave them the opportunity to use Cameron Green, another all-round player. The change didn’t go well since Smith’s record as an opener doesn’t seem excellent, with the exception of a 91 against the West Indies in the second Test at Gabba. When compared to his 56.97 in the format, his opener average of 28.50 seems insignificant.
In the upcoming series against India, Smith need to return to the number four spot, according to former Australia head coach Justin Langer.
Although he acknowledged that the senior hitter would be better off starting at number four, he believes Smith is more suited there and that it would have a psychological impact on the opposition.
“He is the best player we have ever had.” Great players are flexible and can bat at any position in the order. I believe he’s most suited to bat number four for the Australian cricket team, Langer stated in the Cricket et al podcast.
“The fourth position seems like a pretty specific role to me. It’s not as though he can’t open the batting. He should bat at number four, but first they need to figure out who isn’t playing. In my view, they were primarily focused on trying to get Cameron Green into the starting lineup. Mitch Marsh had assumed the role of an all-rounder, but they still desired to have the best young player in the starting lineup, he continued.
Also Read: England’s major Test cricket issue gets fixed by Jamie Smith
Usman Khawaja, Smith’s opening partner, agrees that the cricketer ought to drop back to number four. Australia’s management is considering a number of options in advance of their eagerness to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In the five-match series, captain Pat Cummins has already stated that he will support the all-rounders. Smith may bat first if he wants to accommodate Mitchell Marsh and Green in the lineup.
Home