The hunt for yet another opener in the Australian Test line-up is still underway. But, for the time being, the man who has stepped up to take the mantle has been none other than talisman batter Steve Smith.
Following the change, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald shared his thoughts on Smith opening the batting for the Aussies and stated that it was not just his individual performance that is to be gauged, but it was more about the connection Smith can establish with his strike partner, Usman Khawaja.
McDondald is of the firm belief that once that connection gets established, Smith can and will flourish in his new role, as he lauded Smith to be ‘one of the bet problem solver in the game’ for their side.
“I suppose it’s more just the connection of Usman and Smudge (Smith) over time,” McDonald said when asked about evaluating Smith as an opener as quoted by cricket.com.au.
“We’ve seen Davey and Usman’s connection and then the partnerships that they’ve been able to produce. That’ll be how we judge it – how that partnership functions. They’re world-class performers at the top of the order and we think Steve Smith is one of the best problem solvers in the game.
“We’ve said that leading into this and it makes sense for us that he’s (Steve Smith) at the top,” he added.
Ever since David Warner hung up his boots and called time on his international career in Test cricket, it has been Smith who has moved up the order in Australia’s current two-match Test series against West Indies.
In the first Test match against West Indies, Smith played as an opener and scored 23 runs in both innings, in what was a short and sweet encounter as the Australians wrapped up a more than comfortable win by 10 wickets.
Although Smith has temporarily taken up the top spot in long-form cricket for Australia, the other candidates in consideration for replacing the timeless Warner at the top of the order also include the likes of Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris, Matt Renshaw and Cameron Green as well.
Australia is set to face off against the West Indies once again in their second Test, which is slated to begin on January 24.
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