Smith replaces Warner as Australia test opener

10.01.2024 - 05:41 channelnewsasia.com

:Steve Smith will take over from David Warner and open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja for Australia's test team, selector George Bailey said on Wednesday ahead of a two-match series against West Indies later this month.

Australian media reported this week that Smith and all-rounder Cameron Green were among the frontrunners for the vacant opener spot following Warner's retirement."There were plenty within the team who were pretty keen to go on record and say that they weren't keen to do it," Bailey told reporters."So it was refreshing that Steve had come forward and said he wanted it and it was something that we'd been chatting about in the background as a selection panel with the coaches as well."It's selfless that someone who has had so much success in one position or a couple of positions in the middle order is open and willing and hungry to have a crack at something new and something different."Smith, 34, moves up the order from number four in the batting line-up.Cricket Australia said earlier on Wednesday that Green will play in the first test against West Indies.Bailey said Green would bat at number four."The way the rest of that batting order is functioning left us feeling we have someone who we think is pretty talented who potentially was going to find it hard to get any test cricket in the next 12 months or so," he added.Matt Renshaw, who Warner has tipped as a potential successor, has also been called up to the squad while the Sheffield Shield's leading run scorer Cameron Bancroft misses out.Apart from Renshaw's inclusion in place of Warner, there are no changes to the squad which beat Pakistan by eight wickets in the third and final test to sweep the series 3-0 last week.The series starts at Adelaide Oval

Testing record UPS reports Test as David Warner Cameron Green Cricket Australia Steve Smith Adelaide Oval Cameron Bancroft George Bailey Matt Renshaw Australia Pakistan

Australia vs West Indies 2nd Test Day 3 Live Score Updates: Steve Smith was unbeaten on 33 as Australia reached 60/2 in pursuit of 216 in the second and final Test against West Indies in Brisbane. Alzarri Joseph and Justin Greaves struck for the visitors in the final session with Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschange falling cheaply. The West Indies set Australia 216 to win the second Test in Brisbane on Saturday after their innings closed on 193 when No.11 Shamer Joseph had to retire hurt. Kirk McKenzie top scored for the West Indies with 41, while Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood both grabbed three wickets. (Scorecard)

"Very Bizarre": David Warner Dumbfounded By Australia's Leadership Ban

Australia opener David Warner, who recently retired from Tests, has questioned the decision of the country's cricket board to impose a lifetime 'leadership' ban on him. On being Warner suggested that the decision doesn't make any sense considering he will be eligible to coach Australia in the future. The 36-year-old was banned from captaining Australia for playing his part in the ball-tampering scandal during the South Africa tour in 2018. The player was also banned from cricket for a year, along with the then captain Steve Smith and batter Cameron Bancroft, for altering conditions of the ball during the Cape Town Test.

Andrew McDonald Evaluates Steve Smith's Performance As An Opener In Test

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald opened up on Steven Smith's new batting position in Test cricket and said that it's more about the connection between the two openers. McDonald said that Smith can perform well as an opener once he and Usman Khawaja make the connection. "I suppose it's more just the connection of Usman and Smudge over time," McDonald said when asked about how they are evaluating Smith as an opener as quoted by cricket.com.au. The head coach also praised Smith and said that he is "one of the best problem solvers in the game" for the Aussies.

Australia keep faith in 'problem-solver' Smith as opener

MELBOURNE : Steve Smith's first outing as a test opener may not have gone to plan but Australia coach Andrew McDonald said he had the full support of the team and that it would take time for him to build a relationship with Usman Khawaja at the top of the order.

Australia vs West Indies, 1st Test Day 1 Live Score Updates

Australia vs West Indies, 1st Test: Live Updates: Australia will be squaring off against West Indies in the first Test of the two-match series on Wednesday in Adelaide. Pat Cummins confirmed the return of Cameron Green to the side that has been rearranged after David Warner retired from the longest format. Steve Smith will play the role of an opener in Test cricket for the Aussies. Meanwhile, West Indies have announced that they will bring in three debutants. (Live Scorecard)

West Indies Look To Spring Surprise On Australia

Australia head into the two-Test series against the West Indies beginning in Adelaide Wednesday as the hottest of favourites, but the visitors insist they are ready to shock the reigning world Test champions. For the Australians, the biggest challenge has been deciding on a replacement for veteran opener David Warner, who retired after their win over Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground earlier this month. They have settled on moving Steve Smith up the order and bringing back towering all-rounder Cameron Green to bat at number four, where he slots in for the Western Australia state side.