Former cricketer Shane Watson backed the idea of promoting Steve Smith as an opener to replace David Warner in Tests for Australia. With Warner set to retire from the longest format after the ongoing SCG Test against Pakistan, the Australian team is in search of a replacement for the departing opener, with front-runners including Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft, and Matt Renshaw.
“I like, knowing the person, the idea of Steve Smith opening,” said Watson.
During an interview with Fox Sports, the former all-rounder suggested that Smith could be utilized in this role, pointing to his success at No.3 as a reason for the proposition.
“The reason why is that No. 3 is the perfect position for him. When he’s the man, he feels like he is the one who has to score the bulk of runs for his team, and when he was in his most prolific period, which was a long period of time, most of it was batting at No. 3.
“When he was at No. 3, he was scoring runs for fun, but when he comes in at No. 4, often the work’s been done, and finding motivation is more challenging for him.
Watson further asserted that opening the batting could present the challenge Smith needs in his current career phase, emphasizing that providing such challenges is crucial to prevent a swift winding down of the Australian star batter’s career.
“Steve Smith opening the batting, he has got the technique, is the challenge he needs.”
“My concern is that if Steve Smith isn’t given a challenge, he might shut things down earlier than he needs,” said Watson.
While Smith has previously opened in T20Is, his highest batting position in Tests and ODIs has been No.3. Interestingly, the prolific batter maintains an impressive average of over 67 when batting at No.3 in Test cricket.
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