Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25: Where should Steven Smith bat for Australia? Should he open or go back to his ideal position no. 4 in Tests?
Australia have a few worries to tackle when India tour Down Under for a five-match Test series later this year. The biggest issue to resolve is Steven Smith's batting position. The talismanic batter had volunteered to open the innings after David Warner’s retirement. But he did not really set the stage on fire in the four Tests he has opened in so far. Australia would be worried about continuing Smith as the opener as India boast of some of the best new ball bowlers in Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj.
Australia would not like to expose Smith, who has a penchant of scoring runs against India, albeit in the middle order so far. They’d rather have him in the bank when conditions are best suited to the premier batter.
Australia coach Andrew McDonald said they “haven’t made any firm decisions around that one (Smith’s position).” “There’s plenty of speculation around that, but in the background, I’d be lying if I said that (the) conversation wasn’t happening,” he added.
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So, the big question is, should Smith be given a longer run as an opener or moved down to No. 3 or No. 4, where he has been most successful in Tests?
First, let’s have a look at Smith’s performances at various batting positions in Tests.
Position | Matches | Runs | Average | HS | 100s/50s |
No. 1 | 4 | 171 | 28.50 | 91* | 0/1 |
No. 3 | 17 | 1744 | 67.07 | 215 | 8/5 |
No. 4 | 67 | 5966 | 61.50 | 239 | 19/26 |
No. 5 | 19 | 1258 | 57.18 | 162* | 4/6 |
No. 6 | 11 | 325 | 25.00 | 100 | 1/1 |
No. 7 | 2 | 121 | 60.50 | 54* | 0/1 |
No. 8 | 2 | 88 | 29.33 | 77 | 0/1 |
No. 9 | 1 | 12 | 12.00 | 12 | 0/0 |
Smith has played as an opener in just four Tests, with a best score of 91 not out, which came in a losing cause against West Indies this year. He has, obviously, underperformed as an opener so far, averaging 28.50 with just one fifty. However, his batting average touches above 55 in the third, fourth, and fifth positions, where he played for most of his Test career.
Stats show that Smith has been an excellent batter in the middle order, where the ball’s shine is off and the ball is slightly old. He tires the bowling attack with his defensive and accumulating game, giving little room to the opponents to make inroads. He is still new to the opening position, and judging him on just four games would not be the right way forward. However, Smith said, "I'm pretty easy either way. I'm not fussed; I'll do whatever they want me to do."
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Scenarios if Smith continues in middle-order
So, what if the selectors and the team management decide to move Smith down to have a better chance at putting India on the back foot? What will be the team combination then?
The problem has compounded as Steve’s replacement at No. 4, Cameron Green, has done a wonderful job at his new position, scoring a brilliant 174 not out in the Wellington Test against New Zealand earlier this year. Also, Travis Head, who opens the batting in the limited-overs but bats at No. 5 in Tests, has also cemented his position in the longer version of the game. He struck 163 at No. 5 against India in the 2023 World Test Championship final.
The first option for Australia is to push Marnus Labuschagne from No. 3 to partner Usman Khawaja as an opener. Labuschagne has the experience of playing as an opener and has the game plan, technique, and skills to blunt the new-ball attack. Smith could bat at No. 3, Green at No. 4, where he has tasted success, followed by Head and Mitchell Marsh. Smith could also get back to his No. 4 spot, while Green gets a promotion to No. 3 with Labuschagne as the opener.
So, what should Cricket Australia do?
Australia are known to stick to their players and back them. They could perhaps give Steven Smith a longer run in the Tests vs. India, as the batter’s run-scoring spree against the Men in Blue is well documented. As an opener against India, Smith might be motivated to go really hard at his favourite opposition and crack tons to give Australia the edge. Even if Australia do bring Smith back to No. 3 or No. 4, it would not harm them much, as Labuschagne and Khawaja are skilled openers, with Smith coming down to make the most of the old ball conditions, doing what he does best—accumulating runs against India.
Head opening and Smith at 4 followed with Green and Marsh. Green and Marsh both will play giving Australia 5 Pacers and 1 Spinner in the team.