Australia's batting stalwart, Steve Smith, has taken over the role of Test opener in the Australian Team, succeeding David Warner, who retired from Test and ODI cricket. The batting order for the upcoming Australia vs West Indies Test series will see Cameron Green occupying the number four position. Steve Smith explained that he prefers not to wait for his turn to bat, leading to his decision to move to the opening spot after David Warner's retirement.
In the Big Bash League 2023-24 match between the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 12 (Friday), where Steve Smith was on the microphone, the commentators inquired about his decision to open the innings despite his successful performances at number 4. Responding to the query, the 34-year-old told Fox Sports, “I mean, there’s been conversations happening for a little while. Obviously, knowing that Davey was gonna finish up in Sydney and I know they were keen to get Cameron Green back into the fold as well. For me, it was a conversation saying, ‘I’m keen to go up to the top. If you were thinking about Greeny up the top, he hasn’t done it at all’. (Green) bats four in Shield cricket.”
‘I’ve Been Waiting To Bat’
Smith went on to explain his decision to open the innings in the upcoming Australia vs West Indies Test series, stating that he prefers not to wait for his turn to bat.
“Since Marnus has been back playing at no.3, I’ve been waiting to bat for quite a long period of time. I don’t like waiting to bat, so I thought why don’t I put my hand up and have a crack up top? That way, you can get Cameron Green in and you’re playing your best six batters. I am (excited). I like facing the newer ball. If you look back to the 2019 Ashes, I was in pretty early there most of the time where I was facing the new ball. I batted no.3 from a number of years as well and was in early and did pretty well against the new ball,” he added.
Despite having never opened in a Test or during his 16-year first-class career, Steve Smith is well-acquainted with the challenges posed by the new, swinging ball. In the 2019 Ashes series, Smith frequently encountered the new and shining cricket ball, experiencing the longest wait for his turn to bat until the 23rd over at Lord's. Throughout the series, he batted at number four, amassing a total of 774 runs in four matches, featuring three centuries and three fifties.
With strong contenders like Travis Head- the white-ball opener for Australia, Marnus Labuschagne and Mitchell Marsh already in the side, Steve Smith volunteered to step up to the top of the batting lineup. The revamped lineup, sans Warner, will feature in the two-match AUS vs WI Test series starting from January 17 at Adelaide.