Former Australian skipper, Ian Chappell has raised doubts about the effectiveness of Steve Smith opening the batting, especially against strong teams like India. Australia is set to face India in a highly anticipated five-Test series at home later this year. With David Warner’s retirement, Steve Smith‘s move to the opening position has resulted in Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh shouldering the responsibility in the middle order.
Australian top order will find itself in trouble if that Indian trio is fit and firing- Ian Chappell
In his column for ESPN Cricinfo, Chappell expressed doubts about whether Head and Marsh’s aggressive style would be effective against strong bowling attacks like India’s. He suggested that having Smith at No.4 could be a significant advantage that Australia might miss out on.
“The reason both Marsh and Head vigorously attack the opposition is because their aggression covers up their technical failings. Their aggression has worked against the lesser sides, but will it succeed against strong sides like India? If Marsh and Head have to try and dig Australia out of trouble against Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj, that will be a concern. Rest assured a vulnerable Australian top order will find itself in trouble if that Indian trio is fit and firing,” wrote Chappell.
Chappell also voiced concerns about Australia’s batting lineup without David Warner at the top, highlighting the importance of Warner’s presence in the team.
“Australia’s bowling, which features a settled and successful top four, is a major plus, but the batting is a concern for the current World Test champions. They are missing the ebullient David Warner’s ability to harass opponents with his aggression as an opener,” added Chappell.
David Warner retired after Australia’s 3-0 series win against Pakistan. Since then, Australia has won three out of four Tests, including a 2-0 win in New Zealand. However, they suffered a surprising defeat to the West Indies in Brisbane.
Steve Smith is still Australia’s best batter but at No. 4, not opening- Ian Chappell
Ian Chappell believes Steve Smith is most effective batting at No.4 and questions whether Smith could maintain his consistency against the moving ball if he opens the innings. Since becoming a Test opener, Steve Smith has struggled, averaging 28.50 with only one half-century in four Tests.
“Smith is still Australia’s best batter but at No. 4, not opening. Smith, like all players, is more vulnerable against the new ball. He’ll occasionally succeed because he’s a very good player, but he’s unlikely to produce the consistently high scores he did in his heyday in the middle,” said Chappell.
Chappell added,
“By promoting Steven Smith to open so they could include two allrounders, they are now left with a query at the top and an overabundance of aggression in the middle order. The preference is to have a strong top six, but it’s ideal when that batting order is balanced,”
Steve Smith has an outstanding record at No.4 in Tests, averaging over 61 in 111 innings, including 19 centuries. The right-hand batter is Australia’s fourth all-time leading run-scorer with 9,685 runs at an average of almost 57 in 109 games.