Steve Smith Defends Opening Role After Near-Miss in Gabba Thriller
Steve Smith silenced critics questioning his suitability as an opener with a defiant 91 that almost steered Australia to victory in a thrilling eight-run Test defeat to West Indies at the Gabba.
After three scratchy innings at the top of the order, the star batter played a lone hand on Sunday, batting through the second innings to become the first Australian to carry his bat since David Warner in 2011.
Despite falling eight runs short of the target, Smith declared himself “comfortable” as an opener, averaging 60 in his first two Tests in the new role.
“There was a lot of noise around me failing in two or three innings,” Smith said at the MCG on Wednesday. “Now I’m averaging 60 as an opener. It was just another position. I’ve battled against the new ball numerous times.”
The 34-year-old, who usually bats at No.3 or No.4, credited his experience facing early overs for his success. He also praised West Indies’ rising pace star Shamar Joseph, who spearheaded the win with a seven-wicket haul.
“He’s a rare talent,” Smith said of Joseph, who bowled with a painful toe injury throughout the second innings. “He just kept coming in, and actually probably bowled faster at the end rather than the start.”
Smith defended his decision to give No.11 Josh Hazlewood two balls to face Joseph in the final over, despite Hazlewood becoming the final wicket to fall.
“I’ve thought about it, whether we could do different things,” Smith admitted. “Maybe I could have taken five balls against Shamar, but then I run the risk of not getting a run off the last ball and ‘Hoff’ having to take all six from Alzarri (Joseph).”
The Gabba defeat may sting, but Smith will look to turn the page quickly as he captains Australia’s ODI team in the opening match against West Indies at the MCG on Friday. It will be Australia’s first 50-over match since their stunning World Cup triumph over India last year.
With his opening spot seemingly cemented and the captaincy armband back on his arm, Smith will be eager to lead Australia back to winning ways against their tenacious West Indies opponents.
