Steve Smith has admitted uncertainty about his batting position for Australia’s upcoming Test series against India, despite calls from teammates Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne for him to return to the No. 4 spot.
Smith had stepped in as an opener during the previous summer when veteran David Warner retired from Test cricket. However, the results were mixed.
While Smith did manage a notable score against the West Indies at the Gabba, his overall performance as an opener was below expectations.
In eight innings against the West Indies and New Zealand, he accumulated only 171 runs, averaging just 28.25—significantly lower than his career average of 56.97. His struggles were particularly evident during the New Zealand series, where he averaged a mere 12.75 across four innings, with a high score of 31.
Khawaja and Labuschagne have both publicly expressed their preference for Smith to return to the No. 4 position, where he has historically excelled with consistentcy and dominance.
Despite this, Smith has indicated that he is open to remaining as an opener against India. He mentioned that discussions are ongoing and that a decision will likely be made after the T20s and one-dayers in England.
Smith downplayed the importance of his batting position, stating, “For me it’s just a position. If I’m batting at four, I could be in after the first two balls… it’s just a number.” He emphasized his willingness to bat wherever the team needs him, regardless of the specific position.
If the selectors decide to move Smith back to No. 4, it could have significant implications for the team’s lineup. Cameron Green, who has been floated as a potential opener, might be promoted, but this could also lead to someone else being dropped from the side if the selectors opt for a traditional opener like Cameron Bancroft or Matthew Renshaw.
