With David Warner’s illustrious test career getting a befitting end with the batter himself scoring a test fifty in his last innings and Australia completing a series whitewash over Pakistan in their own backyard at the Sydney cricket ground , the question for the home team now remains about filling the shoes of Warner in opening slots for future tests in the ICC World test Championship starting series versus the West Indies, considering new openers to be added to their mix which has likes of experienced Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne.
Australian middle order batter Steve Smith who has a phenomenal record batting in the middle order has been the backbone of Australian batting over the years now having scored impressive 9514 runs at an average of astonishing 53.51 in just 105 test matches. He has been the strong support of the Australian middle order holding innings together for a while now.
However Smith has often opened for his side in the Australian leagues as well as the Australian team in the T20I format which could make him the prime player to take up Warner’s slot in future test matches for Australia. This move however wont augur well with former Australian cricketing greats who believes Steve Smith is best suited for the middle order role in tests for Australia and the team should not consider pushing him up the order for the opening slot.
“Wouldn’t like to see him move” – Australian Legend Ricky Ponting warns against opening with Steve Smith in future tests.
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has cautioned the team against promoting Steve Smith to open the batting in Tests. The Tasmanian reasoned that the ex-captain, along with Marnus Labuschagne, has been the backbone of Australia’s batting unit and shouldn’t be unsettled.
With David Warner retiring from Test cricket after making his debut back in 2011, a spot has opened up at the top of the order. Experts have had polarizing opinions over the veteran left-hander’s replacement.
The specialist openers in the frame are Cameron Bancroft, Matt Renshaw and Marcus Harris. All-rounder Cameron Green also remains an outside contender. Smith, meanwhile, is yet to open in Test cricket.
Speaking on Channel 7, Ponting claimed:
“I wouldn’t like to see him move. All this talk, all they are trying to do is find a spot in the side for Cameron Green. If they are going to do it, it has to be with the least disruption to the batting order as it is. Smith and Labuschagne have been magnificent at three and four – they have been the backbone of Australia’s batting for the last three or four years. I wouldn’t like to see that disrupted. I think it should be Cameron Bancroft to get that chance.”
Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson recently suggested the idea during a cricket event, claiming that opening the batting is a challenge the ex-captain needs. In turn, Smith has also shown interest.
Alex Carey confident of Steve Smith succeeding as opener
Aussie keeper-batter and fellow team mate Alex Carey believes the veteran can bat at any spot in the line-up and finds a way to come out on top. Carey said, as quoted by Perth Now:
“Steve can bat wherever he wants. He’s probably proven in his career, whatever challenge is thrown at him he has found a way to succeed. We’ve got some great openers doing a fantastic job. Obviously a few other names are thrown out there. Smudge putting his hat in the ring, if he was to get the call-up he would do a great job. He’s faced the new ball a few times.”
Smith’s form in the ongoing Test series against Pakistan has been patchy. The batter has managed only one half-century in five innings. It would be interesting to see what call the Australia management takes to fill the shoes of retired legend David Warner and Steve Smith’s approach if asked to open in future for Australia.