After being named as the Test opener to replace David Warner, Steve Smith texted Usman Khawaja. When Australia plays the West Indies in the first of a two-Test series, which begins in Adelaide on January 17, the Smith-Khawaja opening partnership will be realized. Khawaja has been outstanding at the position. He averaged over 57 in 51 innings, but Smith has never started the innings in 105 Test matches.
Steve Smith texted Usman Khawaja
Speaking on SEN Cricket, Smith revealed the text conversation he had with Khawaja after learning that Australia will be starting the batting in Test matches.
“I sent him a message at random, asking if he wanted the first one or should I take it. I don’t think he realized I was opening yet. “Opening?” was his reply, to which he replied, “Yeah, I’m in.
” Although we still haven’t determined who would go first, I thought to myself, “Uz, maybe you should take it,” since I was out the first ball in the BBL the other night. We don’t give a damn. Whether you are opening, batting at four, or whatever else, it makes no difference until you face your first ball “explained Smith.
Smith has an amazing record in red balls. At a 58.01 average, the 34-year-old has scored 9.514 runs in the long format. It included 32 hundred, making him Australia’s fourth-highest run scorer.
Steve Smith said, “It just wears me out mentally.”
After watching every passing ball of the Australian innings closely both on TV and in person at the stadium during a Test match, Steve Smith said that there were moments when he felt mentally exhausted before even stepping out to bat.
Usman Khawaja, David Warner, and Marnus Labuschagne make up Australia’s powerful top three. Thus, the senior batter frequently enters the crease after a protracted wait.
Smith has a stellar overall Test record, but since the beginning of 2023, he has struggled to establish domination. He averaged 42 in 14 appearances.
The 34-year-old got his eye in on every opportunity, but he only managed one half-century in five full innings during Australia’s recent 3-0 victory against Pakistan.