Australia's Steven Smith bats during a practice session ahead of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 semi-final match between South Africa and Australia, at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023. (PTI)Steve Smith, who has been elevated as Test opener by the Australian selectors says it will give him more chance to spend at the crease. Smith, who bats at No 4 will take David Warner’s place, who retired after the Pakistan series.
Cameron Green, who lost his No 6 spot to Mitchell Marsh during the Ashes will take Smith’s position at No 4.
“I mean, there’s been conversations happening for a little while,” Smith said on Fox Cricket.
“Obviously, knowing that Davey was gonna finish up in Sydney and I know they were keen to get Cameron Green back into the fold as well.
“For me, it was a conversation saying, ‘I’m keen to go up to the top. If you were thinking about Greeny up the top, he hasn’t done it at all’. (Green) bats four in Shield cricket.”
Smith, who also boasts extraordinary form when exposed early in the innings and prior to moving to no.4, averaged 67.07 batting at first drop.
“Since Marnus has been back playing at no.3, I’ve been waiting to bat for quite a long period of time,” Smith continued.
“I don’t like waiting to bat, so I thought why don’t I put my hand up and have a crack up top? That way, you can get Cameron Green in and you’re playing your best six batters.
“I am (excited). I like facing the newer ball. If you look back to the 2019 Ashes, I was in pretty early there most of the time where I was facing the new ball.
“I batted no.3 from a number of years as well and was in early and did pretty well against the new ball.
“So it’s nothing new or foreign to me. I enjoy getting in there and getting amongst it and I’m looking forward to that challenge.”
Australia’s two-match Test series against Australia will start from January 17.
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