Nothing new or strange to me: Steven Smith in the opening role in Tests
Steve Smith and Matt Renshaw. Photo: Sportzpics for BCCI
As he prepared to bat for Australia in Tests, Steve Smith on Saturday claimed that it was not a new role for him as he has experience batting at No. 3 and he likes the challenge of facing the new ball.
Smith will replace the now retired David Warner as opener for the upcoming home Tests against the West Indies.
Warner played his last series at home against Pakistan earlier this month.
Although the likes of Cam Bancroft, Marcus Harris and Matt Renshaw were tipped to take Warner’s place, the former two were surprisingly left out of the squad, while the latter has been named as a reserve in the team.
With Smith set to open alongside Usman Khawaja, he said he had been waiting to improve the order for a long time, especially since Marnus Labuschagne has been at No. 3 of late.
Since Marnus plays at number 3 again, I have been waiting a long time to get started. I don’t like to wait to hit, so I thought, why not raise my hand and have a crack-up top? That way you can bring in Cameron Green and play with your best six hitters,” he told Fox Sports.
I’m excited). I enjoy looking at the newer ball. If you look back at the 2019 Ashes, I was usually there quite early, facing the new ball.”
I also batted at number 3 for a number of years and was there early and did quite well against the new ball. So it’s nothing new or strange to me. I enjoy getting in there and being among it, and I’m looking forward to that challenge.
Smith opened for Sydney Sixers against Sydney Thunders in their recent Big Bash League match but failed to produce any fireworks and was dismissed for a golden duck.
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First print: January 13, 2024 | 11:39 PM IST