Steve Smith of Australia has been confirmed to open the batting in the first Test of the forthcoming two-match series against the West Indies.
Smith indicated his desire to ascend to the top of the order following the retirement of David Warner.
Finally, George Bailey, the chairman of selectors, affirmed the same when he picked the 13-man squad for the inaugural West Indies Test.
The only change from the lineup that just thrashed Pakistan 3-0 is Matt Renshaw replacing David Warner.
With Smith beginning the batting, all-rounder Cameron Green will move into the middle order.
Smith’s departure comes at the latter end of his brilliant career, despite his unrivaled success in the middle order.
The champion batsman batted at No.4 in 111 of his 187 Test innings, averaging more than 61 and scoring 19 hundreds.
Despite batting in every position from No. 3 to No. 9, Smith has never begun an innings for Australia in a red-ball contest.
Given his lofty standards, the veteran has struggled in Tests since the beginning of the year, averaging little more than 42 in 14 games with only three hundred.
On Twitter, fans had mixed feelings about Steve Smith starting the batting in Tests.
Some fans praised the hitter’s progression from a lower-order batter to an opener, while others questioned the reasoning behind it.
It’s not something he does on the spur of the moment – George Bailey on Steve Smith starting the batting
George Bailey, the chairman of selectors, lauded Steve Smith for his desire to open the batting for Australia in Tests, adding that the change may be a long-term possibility.
Smith has an outstanding Test record, having scored over 9,500 runs at an average of 58.01 with 32 centuries.
Bailey replied to Smith’s opening for the rest of his career during the press conference after the
announcement of the squad for the first West Indies Test by saying:
He might. It’s not something he’s doing on the spur of the moment or just for one match to see how it goes.
It takes a selfless person to be open, willing, and hungry to attempt something new and different
after having had so much success in one or two positions in the middle order. Bailey continued, saying:
With a tongue in cheek, I suppose I could say that everything is an experiment.
That has been discussed with Steve, and I believe he wants this to be a big chapter in his career.
We don’t look too far ahead since, for the most part, Steve wants to stay here.
With Smith starting the batting, Cameron Bancroft is left out of the squad despite leading the Sheffield Shield run-scoring charts thus far.
The first Test between Australia and the West Indies begins on January 17 in Adelaide.
Also Read: Diogo Dalot Net Worth 2024, How Much Diogo Dalot Earned So Far?