Australia’s Test team faces some critical questions ahead of their highly anticipated series against India, set to begin in November 2024.
At the centre of these discussions is the question of who will open the batting. With the recent retirement of David Warner, the team is in search of a consistent partner at the top.
Steven Smith is among the options on the table, but his suitability for the opening role has sparked debate.
Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has weighed in on the issue, arguing that Smith will continue as an opener.
Smith, who moved up the order after Warner’s exit, has had mixed results in his brief stint as an opener.
Over four matches, he has scored 171 runs, averaging 28.50, with over half of those runs coming in a single innings against the West Indies.
Watson, however, believes that Smith’s dip in form is not a reflection of his ability to open but rather a technical issue.
Watson suggested that Smith had been “a little off with his technique” and that some adjustments could unlock his potential at the top.
Watson’s confidence in Smith’s ability stems from his belief in the batter’s skillset, and he urged selectors to give Smith more time in the role.
Despite Watson’s advocacy for Smith, there remains uncertainty about the composition of Australia’s batting order.
Cameron Green, seen initially as a possible opener, has proven himself a strong candidate for the number four position.
Green’s impressive 174* against New Zealand has cemented his place in the middle order, and Watson now sees him as the ideal player to fill the crucial No.
4 spot in the lineup. However, Green’s recent injury concerns have complicated matters for Australia.
After experiencing soreness in his lower back, Green was flown home for assessment, and his availability for the India series remains uncertain.
This uncertainty leaves Smith’s future at the top of the order even more significant. If Green cannot recover quickly, the selectors must decide whether Smith continues as an opener or returns to the middle order.
Given Smith’s experience and Watson’s support, it seems likely he will stay in the role for the upcoming series, at least for now.
Adding to the complexity of Australia’s preparation is the decision to host the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth rather than at Brisbane’s Gabba, a venue traditionally known as the starting point of the Australian Test summer.
Watson voiced his displeasure at this change, highlighting the Gabba’s unique conditions, which make it a challenging venue for visiting teams.
The Gabba’s bounce, seam, and swing, combined with Brisbane’s hot and humid climate, have historically given Australia a significant advantage.
Although the Gabba has lost some of its invincibility, especially after India’s famous series victory in 2021, Watson believes it remains a stricter challenge for foreign teams than Perth.
Ultimately, Australia’s opening combination and batting order are still in flux, with the team having just weeks to make critical decisions before the series against India begins.
With Smith’s future role undecided and Green’s fitness uncertain, Australia’s selectors face difficult choices as they prepare for one of their most challenging assignments in Test cricket.