Brian Lara says Steve Smith’s move could embolden Windies

Steve Smith’s move up the order solved an issue for the Aussies, but could it be more of a problem than a solution? One of cricket’s greatest believes it might just spark the visiting West Indies.

Batting legend Brian Lara believes Steve Smith will be more “vulnerable” as an opener and his shock switch will embolden the battling West Indies in next weeks’ Mission Impossible first Test.

It would rank as one of cricket’s great upsets for the Windies to win a Test in Australia starting in Adelaide next week, but Lara says the retirement of David Warner and surprise promotion of Smith will put a spring in the step of the visiting attack.

Nothing changes Smith’s status as one of the best batsmen of all time, averaging 58 from 105 Tests, but Lara – who occupies that same rare air – says any opposition would prefer to bowl at the greats with a new ball when conditions are at their toughest.

Smith has been chosen as the replacement for David Warner at the top of the order. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)

“He is going to be a little bit more vulnerable,” Lara, a Fox Cricket expert for the two-Test series told this masthead.

“Opening the innings, the bowling team is very fresh. They’re going to be coming after him full force.

“As a No. 4 batter he has a little bit of time to assess the situation.

“Is he capable of handling the pressure? Most definitely. I don’t think it’s something he’s going to be running away from in three or four Test matches – I think he’s capable of doing it.

“But seeing the back of David Warner first of all, and having Steve Smith up there and having a younger face (Cameron Green) in the middle order, most definitely – any bowling team will tell you that they want to see the best batsmen out there as quickly as possible to put pressure on them.”

West Indies quicks Kemar Roach, Alzarri Joseph and uncapped prospect Shamar Joseph made short work of a Cricket Australia XI in a tour game in Adelaide on Thursday.

The tourists were beaten resoundingly in Australia last summer, but Lara believes the Windies do have the quicks to put Smith under some early heat, if they get their plans right and make the 34-year-old play.

Lara says the move will put pressure on the great. (Photo by GLYN KIRK / AFP)

“Kemar Roach is somebody I feel has the aggression, and of course Alzarri Joseph as well has the aggression to put him under some early pressure early on,” Lara said.

“Those are the two guys with the experience to have Steve Smith under a bit of problems.

“Let’s see how it goes. I know sometimes we tend to be a little bit negative, holding our line outside the off-stump and waiting for the batter to make the mistake.

“With the new ball you want to have a batsman playing as many deliveries as possible, so hopefully that’s going to be the case when the Test match starts.

“Yes, it’s something that could motivate the West Indies bowlers. But you are still coming up against Steve Smith. A man who is averaging 58 in Test cricket. He’s not going to fall apart very easily.”

Former Australian Test captain Michael Clarke made the stunning claim that Smith could break Lara’s longstanding record of 400 not out, the highest ever Test score, by taking the leap of faith to open the innings.

In Clarke’s eyes, Smith can be the best opener in the world.

Lara can appreciate as a former No. 3 batsman himself, that there is very little difference between that role and opening the batting when it comes to mindset.

And No. 3 was Smith’s favourite – and most successful – batting position.

Lara, part of the most experienced and diverse Fox Cricket commentary line-up ever, warned his West Indies compatriots, that he senses Smith is a man on a mission.

A new challenge awaits the batting great. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

“It would be great for the West Indies if Smith was a failure in the opening spot. It would mean West Indies are making early inroads into the Australian batting,” Lara said.

“But the man is one of the greats of the game. You don’t average 58 as a batter in Test cricket and be unable to bat in certain positions.

“If you put him to bat at No. 6 I think he’d be capable of doing that as well.

“And he will have a point to prove.

“Does he have the ability to break the record (400 not out)? Of course he has the ability to break the record.

“But the way the Australians play the game and the dominance that they’ve had in Test cricket and especially over the West Indies, I think someone scoring 400 is maybe (staying out there for) too many runs.

“You get to some batting tracks around the world and if Steve Smith is batting, or any other aggressive, attacking player, records are made to be broken.

“And I look forward, I hope it happens in my lifetime.”

Every ball of every game of Australia’s Test series against the West Indies is live and ad-break free during play to stream on Kayo Sports or watch on Foxtel.

Originally published as Brian Lara says Steve Smith’s move could embolden Windies