David Warner, who is playing his career’s last test match against Pakistan in the currently ongoing third test match in Sydney, Cricket Australia (CA), is looking at potential replacements. Since making his debut in 2011, David Warner has established himself as one of the best aggressive openers in the game, and experts’ views on whether Australia should choose a like-for-like replacement are split.
Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has suggested moving Steve Smith up to the top of the order as a left-field alternative to open Test matches in place of David Warner. According to Watson, Smith’s skill set demands a top-order position, and the challenge will inspire him to get back to his best.
Steve Smith picked up where he left off, following the completion of his one-year ban. During the Ashes series in England that year, the 34-year-old broke numerous records by hammering 774 runs in four Tests while batting at No. 4.
The idea of Steve Smith opening….- Shane Watson told that the batter struggles to find motivation when things are set up
Speaking to Fox Cricket from a stage at a cricket match, Watson said that Smith was at his most productive when batting at number three. He also hinted that the former captain finds it difficult to stay motivated when things are going well.
“I like, knowing the person, the idea of Steve Smith opening. The reason why is that No.3 is the perfect position for him. When he’s the man, he feels like he is the one who has to score the bulk of runs for his team, and when he was in his most prolific period – which was a long period of time – most of it was batting at No. 3,” said Shane Watson.
If Steve Smith isn’t given a challenge, he might shut things down earlier than he needs-Shane Watson
Shane Watson added that when Smith was batting at No. 3, he was scoring runs for fun, but when he comes to bat at No. 4, the work has already been done. In addition, Smith’s early retirement was alluded to by Watson if he did not receive a worthy challenge.
“When he was at No. 3 he was scoring runs for fun, but when he comes in at No. 4, often the work’s been done, and finding motivation is more challenging for him. Steve Smith opening the batting, he has got the technique, (this) is the challenge he needs. My concern is that if Steve Smith isn’t given a challenge, he might shut things down earlier than he needs,” said Shane Watson.
Steve Smith finished 2023 as the second-highest Test run-getter with 929 runs in 13 matches at 42.22 with three hundreds, despite a noticeable decline in form. The right-handed batsman hit a century in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at the Oval against India, helping his team win by 209 runs.
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