Australia’s new Test opener Steve Smith said that a lot has been said about his form as an opener in Test Cricket but he still averages 60 after two Test matches.
In the words of Smith, “There was a lot of commentary around I’d failed in two or three innings or whatever it was.” “I had a not-out and two low scores.
And now I think I’m averaging 60 as an opener.“I didn’t read too much into it. It was just another position. I’ve batted against a new ball numerous times coming in early.”
A Tricky Call
The right-hander further said that he could have taken more strike against Shamar Joseph and could have faced him more rather than exposing the tailenders “I’ve thought about it; whether we could do a different thing.,” “Maybe, I could have taken five balls against Shamar [Joseph], he was on fire.
“But then I run the risk of not getting a run off the last ball and Hoff having to take all six from Alzarri [Joseph], who’s a pretty good bowler as well.
You can weigh those things up. Four/two is the traditional way to do things, I suppose, and it felt right at the time.
A Historic Spell
But yeah, it wasn’t to be.” Smith played as an opener in the Two match Test series against West Indies and failed in three of the four innings before scoring a fighting 91 in the second innings of the Second Test match which Australia lost by eight runs.
Courtesy of a superb bowling spell from Shamar Joseph who ended up taking seven wickets in the match helping West Indies register their first Test win in Australia since 1997. This was also Australia’s first defeat in a home Test since 2022.
New Role
Steve Smith was promoted to open the batting following David Warner’s decision to retire from Test cricket after the series against Pakistan. The decision to open with Smith in Test matches wasn’t a straightforward one as three traditional openers were in the race to take Warner’s spot.
But the decision to open with Smith was taken after taking into account the fact that it would present a chance for Australia to play both Marsh and Green in the playing XI.
There are also talks of Smith opening the innings in T20Is for Australia as it would allow him to play his natural game and also play the role of an anchor who bats right till the end
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