Australia v West Indies Test series: Plan to have Steve Smith open partly driven by his desire to avoid short bowling

Steve Smith’s usually prolific output has dimmed slightly in recent times partly due to a tactic that he is hoping to avoid by moving to the top of the order.

Australia believes Steve Smith’s promotion to opener will short circuit a long-running game plan used by desperate opponents to scramble his radar.

Smith and the selectors have discussed the fact a promotion to the top of the order for the Test series against the West Indies will lessen the chance of opposition bowlers peppering him with a barrage of short pitched deliveries early in his innings.

If the West Indies – or any team – start the innings with an early bumper barrage they would waste the potency of the new ball.

This is the hidden reason behind Smith’s promotion.

David Warner, whose retirement triggered the switch, tipped Smith to adapt to the challenge of coming in first.

Pakistan attacked Steve Smith with short pitched bowling during their recent series in Australia. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

“People have been bowling short to him when he first gets in,’’ Warner said. “But he finds a way. Early on, they’re going to try and swing the ball and pitch the ball up.

“And he is going to be able to get into his game and his game plan. Get into the rhythm of how he wants to bat and he can dictate. So I am actually looking forward to seeing how he goes. He doesn’t like waiting. Steve will fit into any position, it doesn’t matter what. When you’re the best batter you will always adapt. ‘’

Bowling short has been an often-used game plan to Smith since New Zealand’s Neil Wagner tried it successfully in Australia four years ago.

Often it does not get him out but it can restrict his stroke play and force him to be more adventurous in other areas.

Though he is still averaging a jaw-dropped 58 in Tests, Smith, by his lofty standards, had a less than spectacular 2023 but the move up the order could see a fresh spark return.

Smith spoke publicly for the first time on Friday about his switch to opener saying his dislike of sitting around and waiting to bat played a role in his decision to put his hand up for a role at least three members of the Australian top order were keen to avoid.

That may be true but the countering of the short pitched bowling plan was also a significant factor.

New Zealand’s Neil Wagner was the first to attack Steve Smith with a short-pitched barrage in 2019. Picture. Phil Hillyard

West Indian legend Brian Lara last week told this masthead the attack, which includes veteran fast man Kemar Roach, must make prudent use of the new ball by pitching it up.

Australia is hoping that, with a stacked slips cordon and the opposition pitching the ball up, Smith may have the chance to score relatively freely early on and is well set by the time the attack revert to a short pitched game plan.

Australia are open minded to how long Smith will open the innings but the initial plan is for him to do it for the two Test series against the West Indies then two Tests in New Zealand.

If he and the panel feel he is a suitable fit he will set a course for the two heavy duty home series against India and England in Australia over the next two summers.

Originally published as Australia v West Indies Test series: Plan to have Steve Smith open partly driven by his desire to avoid short bowling