Home
Cricket
Newly appointed Australia Test opener Steve Smith reveals ‘struggles’ of convincing selectors

Newly appointed Australia Test opener Steve Smith reveals ‘struggles’ of convincing selectors

Steve Smith replaced David Warner as the Australia Test opener ahead of the West Indies series.


Steve Smith revealed that he faced initial challenges in convincing the selectors to promote him as an opener in Tests before the West Indies series. Following David Warner’s retirement from Test cricket, Smith was officially designated as the Test opener, a position he had not previously held beyond number three.

“I’d been pushing it for a few weeks, even before Perth, and I might have even floated it in England randomly and said I’m happy to play up top,” Smith disclosed during a training session before the West Indies series. He had been advocating for the change for a while, even mentioning it during last year’s Ashes.

“In Perth, I said ‘after Davey’s done, I’m actually keen to get up there,’ and I don’t think they (selectors) took me seriously until I got to Sydney (for the pink Test against Pakistan) and said ‘you know I’m actually being genuine here,'” Smith explained.

Newly appointed Australia Test opener Steve Smith reveals 'struggles' of convincing selectors to appoint him

Expressing his eagerness for the challenge of facing the new ball, Smith emphasized that opening isn’t foreign to him. He mentioned stepping down to number four during his captaincy to allow mental refreshment but highlighted that he no longer needs to do so. Smith is now embracing the opportunity to face the new ball and relish the challenge.

Follow
Share

Editor's Pick

Unpopular Opinion: Virat Kohli's shoulder barge with Sam Konstas was wrong but he took one for India & himself Cricket Unpopular Opinion: Virat Kohli's shoulder barge with Sam Konstas was wrong but he took one for India & himself

Top Stories

Share article
Follow us on social media
Tell us why didn’t you like our article so that we can improve on?
Choose ranking:
ICC Test Ranking
ICC ODI Ranking
ICC T20I Ranking
Bengaluru FC’s Top Goal Scorers Top 5 Clubs with Most Champions League Titles Virat Kohli Birthday: greatest knocks of Chase Master India’s Top Men’s Singles Badminton Players Bowlers RCB should target in IPL 2025 auction