Steve Smith Open to Middle Order Return for Australia
Steve Smith, Australia’s premier batter, has expressed his willingness to adapt to the middle order if the national selectors deem it necessary. Despite mixed results as an opener, Smith remains flexible about his position for the upcoming summer.
Smith’s tenure at the opening position saw him making an unbeaten 91 in the day-night Test at the Gabba against West Indies. However, his overall performance totaled 171 runs, averaging 28.50 over eight innings. During the period, Smith faced challenges, especially against deliveries on the inside edge, with three dismissals coming as LBW.
Despite the hurdles, Smith is amenable to shifting roles for the team. “I’m comfortable batting wherever,” Smith told Fox Cricket. “We’ll see what that looks like, I suppose, whether they want me to continue (opening the batting) or go back to three or four. We’ll wait and see. I’m pretty easy batting anywhere. We’ll just see what stacks up and what the brain trust wants.”
Smith mentioned that the rapid turnaround between innings was the only notable challenge he found while opening. “It’s a little bit of a quicker turnaround when you only have ten minutes, running off the field and you have to get back out there quickly,” Smith explained. “Outside of that, I don’t think there’s much change.”
Australian selector George Bailey recently hinted at keeping the team’s top six unchanged for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India starting in November. Smith’s flexibility with his batting position fits into the approach.
Usman Khawaja, another opener for Australia, prefers to see Smith batting at No.4, appreciating his notable performance in the middle order. Smith has averaged 61.50 in 111 Test innings at No. 4, including 19 centuries. Khawaja believes the strategy would benefit the team. “When you put him up to open, I feel like you’re kind of giving them a chance to get at him early.”
Smith acknowledges the adjustments needed when opening the batting but stays focused on contributing positively to the series ahead. “I like to stand up in the big series and do well and help the team. Hopefully, there’s much of the same this summer,” Smith said.
Smith plans to participate in several Sheffield Shield matches for New South Wales before the Test series against India. These matches will help him get accustomed to the swinging Kookaburra ball. Though his specific role with the Blues is yet to be discussed, Smith remains open to batting wherever required. “I’ll bat wherever they want me to. I’m not that fussed,” Smith affirmed. “They’ve got some good young kids there. I’m pretty easy, whatever spot they want me to bat.”
