Australia embarked on a new era of Test cricket, starting with assigning Steve Smith the new role of the side’s Test opener. Attempting to fill in David Warner’s shoes in the red ball squad, Smith has squandered his first three opportunities, making one wonder how far will Australia take the bet on Smudge.
Will Smith prevail in the opener’s challenge?
Turn the clock back to almost a month earlier when the chatter about who should be the next opener began, Smith was one of the first to put his hand up. This, even when there were other ‘specialist’ openers in the fray including Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft or Matthew Renshaw. Unlike the former Australian skipper, the other three have excelled in the role of an opener in the domestic circuit, making their case strong for inclusion in the national side.
However, Smith beat the odds as the selectors looked the other way and decided to name him as Warner’s replacement. As fancy as it sounded, it did not turn out to be so for Smudge as he fell to Shamar Joseph in the 1st AUS vs WI Test at Adelaide. With just 12 runs in his 1st innings as the side’s opener, it was indeed an ominous sign for Smith. There was no further opportunity for the batter to prove his mettle as he remained not out at 11 runs in the 2nd innings, with Australia romping home to a comfortable 10 wicket victory.
It went from bad to worse in the 2nd Test at the Gabba after Smith flopped yet again, this time after being trapped for an LBW off Roach’s delivery. He lasted for just six deliveries and played a run-a-ball knock before walking back to the pavilion.
With Australia sitting on top of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, the side wouldn’t mind giving a few more opportunities for Smith to shine. With that being said, the former Australian skipper might find time running out of his hands before Australia might axe him and prefer the more logical specialist option.
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