Steven Smith has set out the reasoning for his move to open in Test cricket, and it’s pretty simple: he doesn’t want to wait. Smith had publicly stated he wanted to shift up the order to replace David Warner and the selectors took the option, which has also allowed them to bring Cameron Green back in at No. 4. The new-look batting order will debut in the opening Test against West Indies in Adelaide on January 17. Smith has never opened in Test or first-class cricket before, but is familiar with facing a new ball, particularly when batting at No. 3. He cited the 2019 Ashes as an example of being tested early in an innings. Smith expressed excitement at the prospect of opening and potentially facing more conventional bowling and tactics early in his innings. David Warner believes Smith will benefit from facing more traditional tactics at the start of his innings. Warner added that he thought Smith and Usman Khawaja both had “another year or two” in them in Test cricket. Matt Renshaw has now been earmarked as the next batter in line, but Warner backed the move to get Green back in the side.
