‘A big cricket experiment’ – Fans react as Australia confirm Steve Smith as David Warner’s replacement ahead of Test series vs WI

The Australian media revealed that star batter Steve Smith will open the innings alongside opening batter Usman Khawaja ahead of two Test matches of the series against the West Indies. Notably, there was debate over the opening batter’s slot after David Warner retired from Test cricket, who played his farewell Test against Pakistan at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground.

However, Australian selector George Bailey revealed that there were a plethora of cricketers who were not keen to open the innings except Steve Smith, who came forward for the job for the team. In addition, Bailey heaps praise on Smith, as he was the only one to take the top spot in the Test game despite having much success being in the middle order.

Meanwhile, Cameron Green was also in the race to open the innings, along with Usman Khawaja. The Australian selector said that the rest of the team would be the same except for one change in the opening slot.

It was refreshing that Steve Smith had come forward: George Bailey

“There were plenty within the team who were pretty keen to go on record and say that they weren’t keen to do it. 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,” George Bailey said.

“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 further.

Notably, the Australia cricket team are the champions of WTC 2023, and they currently place themselves at the top spot in the new cycle of WTC after thrashing Pakistan by 3-0 in a recently concluded Test series.

Check here how fans reacted:

A big cricket experiment: Steve Smith as the opening batsman for Australia. Exciting times ahead!

— Sahib Singh (@singh28915) January 10, 2024

No.3 & No.4. Is best position for Steve Smith in Test Cricket 🏏

— Zuhair (@zuh_dxb) January 10, 2024

I don't think it will be successful experiment, smith's technique is not of an opener.

— Shahid Hassan (@shahid_2349) January 10, 2024

May be, but there’s a precedent. David Boon, a middle order batsman, asked and moved to the opening slot in the mid-80s. He became a successful opener.

— hindumisia.ai (@hindumisia) January 10, 2024

Smith and khawaja is going to open for Australia, maybe green will play at place of Smith

— Kirkett (@bhaskar_sanu08) January 10, 2024

“Opener' Steve Smith Can Break Brian Lara's 400 Record” – Michael Clarke

— AP (@AksP009) January 10, 2024