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.
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.
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