The Australian cricket community is torn about whether to support Steve Smith opening the batting or criticize one of their best-ever Test batters since the great Don Bradman. Having himself put his hand up open, it seems like the former Australia skipper is having trouble at the spot.
With the ball hooping around at the start of the inning, it seems like Smith is having trouble as his age catches up and his averages start to dwindle. While talking on the Around the Wicket show, another former Australian captain, Tim Paine, gave the reasoning behind why Smith should not open. He said:
“I look at it, that if I was playing against Australia, where would I prefer Steve Smith to bat? If I’m the opposition, I want him opening the batting. I was in that Ashes in 2019 and went to England with him in another one and when he was at his best batting at four you just felt he couldn’t get out.”
“I would love to see him succeed as an opener, I think he can, there’s no doubt about that, he’s good enough to bat anywhere, but as an opposition player I want him at the top of the order because that gives me the best chance of getting him out.”
Tim Paine: Steve Smith will make it work
Despite having his doubts, Paine has backed Steve Smith to work things out by the next summer when India tour Australia for a 5-match Test series.
“He is probably one of three or four players who has ever played for Australia who can probably do what he’s doing at the moment. He’s earned the right, in my opinion, to bat wherever he wants and if he wants, and is driven enough, to be Australia’s Test opener I think he’ll make it work and you’ll see him come out next summer and dominate.”
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