Australian batter Usman Khawaja has openly expressed his preference for Steve Smith to bat at different position rather than as an opener in the Test line-up. Smith, who has been opening for Australia in Tests since David Warner‘s retirement following the home series against Pakistan in early 2024, has struggled to find his form at the top of the order. Despite Australia’s successful run, including a 2-0 series win in New Zealand, Smith’s performance as an opener remains a concern.
Steve Smith’s struggles as an opener for Australia
In the four matches Smith has played as an opener, he has scored just 171 runs at an average of 28.50, with only one half-century to his name. While the team has seen success, Smith’s struggles with the bat have been evident. His lone significant contribution was a 91 not out against the West Indies in a day-night Test at the Gabba, a match Australia eventually lost due to a standout bowling performance by Shamar Joseph.
Usman Khawaja’s preference for Smith
Speaking to Fox Cricket, Khawaja emphasized his belief that Smith should return to his usual No. 4 position, where he has historically excelled. “I’ve always loved Steve Smith batting at No. 4, I haven’t shied away from that. I love seeing him come in at No. 4 … you get two wickets, and who do you get walking in? The best batsman in the world,” Khawaja said. He further elaborated that opening the batting exposes Smith to early risks, which could be avoided by having him come in at his favored position.
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Smith’s legacy and the way forward
Smith is Australia’s fourth-highest run-scorer in Tests, amassing 9,685 runs at an exceptional average of 56.97 in 109 matches. His consistency and ability to perform under pressure have made him a cornerstone of the Australian Test team. However, the experiment of promoting him to the top of the order has not yielded the desired results. Smith himself has previously expressed a desire to bat higher up the order, aiming to reduce his waiting time to bat and allow all-rounders like Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green to feature in the playing XI.
The Border-Gavaskar series: A crucial Test against India
With the Border-Gavaskar series on the horizon, the Australian team will be looking to field their strongest possible line-up. Khawaja emphasized his preference for Smith at number four, noting that Smith averages 60 in that position, despite his ability to score at any spot in the lineup. He strongly advocates for Smith’s return to the middle order. Khawaja’s call for Smith to move back to No. 4 could be pivotal in ensuring that the team’s batting order is optimized for success against a formidable Indian side.
“I’m not sure what the top six is going to be this summer. I’ve always loved Steve Smith batting at No. 4; I haven’t shied away from that. I know Steve Smith can score runs at one, two, three, four, five, or six, but the man averages 60 at four, so my preference has always been Smudge (Steve Smith) at four,” Khawaja concluded.
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