Steve Smith has confirmed that he will not open the batting for the Australian Test team this summer, setting the stage for a new partner to join Usman Khawaja for their upcoming series against India.
Australian cricket was already dissecting the news of Cameron Green’s injury, which will see the talented all-rounder out for the entire summer – however with Smith’s decision, the stage is set for a major shake-up of the batting lineup.
Selection chair George Bailey revealed in a press conference on Monday that while Smith went into series against the West Indies and New Zealand opening as an ‘experiment’ – with Green slotting into second drop – Smith’s spotty form combined with a bruising experience against both sides has resulted in the star batsman wishing to move back down the order.
“Pat [Cummins], Andrew [McDonald] and Steven Smith have been having ongoing discussions, separate to the untimely injury to Cameron, anyway and I think Steve had expressed a desire to move back down from that opening position,” he said.
“Pat and Andrew have confirmed that he will be dropping back down the order for the summer.”
Steve Smith of Australia had a tough summer as an opener in 2024. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
While disconnected, Smith’s movements around the batting order in parallel with Green’s fitness have created several challenges, according to Bailey – with a focus on finding the right batting order to take on an imposing Indian bowling attack.
Other options on the table – notably Mitch Marsh and Travis Head, are unlikely to be considered, with both players set to miss the Pakistan series on paternity leave.
“Clearly, we will have a No.4 spot to fill and an opening spot to fill,” Bailey admitted.
However, Bailey has hinted that there will likely be a focus on picking a specialist opener, with Cam Bancroft, new arrival Sam Konstas and Marcus Harris discussed – despite the former only just being dismissed for a pair by Michael Neser.
“I spoke to Cam after that game and sort of jokingly said to him maybe he’s in such good nick he might have played and missed at those as well,” joked Bailey.
“That might be a really good sign for the rest of the summer. There’s plenty of batsmen that have managed to get an early feather on a Michael Neser ball.
“No harm done, he has certainly got credits in the bank, his consistency over a number of years has been phenomenal.
“I don’t know if we’d ever throw someone [Konstas] into the deep end so to speak, I think if we make a selection it’s because that we think that player is ready to play — or not going to sink, using that analogy.
“He has had a good start, he is five games into his first-class career and he looks really organised and composed at the crease.
Western Australia’s Cameron Bancroft. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)
“It’s good recognition that he’s been given the opportunity to play Australia A but I don’t think it’s taking your eye off how consistent your Cam Bancrofts or Marcus Harris have been.”
Despite the batting order issues, the result will likely mean that Mitchell Marsh will come into the side – Bailey admitted having an all-rounder was a “luxury” – to partner Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon.
Meanwhile, the Australia A squad – which includes Bancroft, Konstas, Neser and Scott Boland, amongst others – will kick off their summer against India A.