Given that Steve Smith has historically performed best when batting at number four in the batting order, Australian opener Usman Khawaja believes Travis Head would be the ideal opening partner for him in the forthcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–2025.
Australia promoted Smith to open with Khawaja following David Warner’s retirement from the longest format of the game in January. The renowned right-handed hitter has only managed to score 171 runs at a pitiful average of 28.50 from four games, so he hasn’t been able to live up to his high expectations. Smith ought to go back to No. 4 in the batting order, according to Khawaja. With 5,966 runs from 67 Tests, the 35-year-old averages an astounding 61.50 from the No. 4 position.
“It’s unlikely that he will ever say it. I’ll speak for him now. Opening is a really important position, but in my opinion, Steve Smith, our best Test player of my generation, has played best at number four. That seems like his best position to me. I believe that Marnus Labuschagne three, Smith four is the finest balance for our team. The most important factor in my opinion is “what’s best for the team.” Which order gives us the highest run total? And we scored a lot of runs when Davey Warner was on the team and Smudge batted at number four, as Khawaja said to Fox Sports.
We’ve still won games despite Smudge starting, but I don’t think we’ve scored as many runs as we could have. And he’s practically unstoppable when things go his way,” the 37-year-old said.
Travis Head would be the most appropriate to open: Usman Khawaja
Usman Khawaja also mentioned how Head has performed admirably in Australia’s white-ball formats as an opener. In the highly anticipated Test series against India, the Islamabad native supported the other southpaw to bat first beside him.
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“In the end, the selectors will make that determination. Travis Head seems like the most appropriate choice, though, if you have me opening, Labuschagne three, Smith four. In one-day cricket, he’s clearly been very successful when opening the batting, therefore, when it comes down to it, I’d definitely go towards him,” Khawaja said.
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