Steve Smith can still be successful Test opener according to Shane Watson

With the final verdict on Cameron Green’s injury set to impact Test selection, a former opener is adamant where Steve Smith should bat.

Former Test opener Shane Watson says Steve Smith can still be a success at the top of the order for Australia and should avoid the “safety blanket” of moving back to his preferred position at No.4.

Lingering doubts over the fitness of all-rounder Cameron Green, with some reports ruling him out of the opening Test against India in Perth, have left Australia’s plans in limbo and could impact Smith’s position.

Watson, in India to launch the International Masters League, said Green, who at a minimum could play as a batter against India depending on the severity of his back issues, showed himself to be the “perfect No.4” with a century in New Zealand.

Watson said that’s how the order should stay and some technique tweaks would ensure Smith was an opening success.

“Steve Smith made the call to be able to go and open, and I think he should stay there,” Watson said.

“Obviously, the safety blanket for him would be moving back to No.4, but I would love to see him continue to take on the opening spot because he’s got the skill to be able to do it.

“Cameron Green came in and batted at No.4 and did a brilliant job. His hundred that he got in New Zealand was something very special and he’s the perfect No.4 candidate now with the future, moving forward.”

Steve Smith opening the batting in New Zealand. Picture: Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

After asking for the chance to replace David Warner as Usman Khawaja’s opening partner, Smith has managed just 171 runs in four Tests as an opener, half of which came in one innings against the West Indies, at an average of 28.50.

Smith scored 19 centuries and 26 fifties at No. 4 , at an average of 61.50 and Australian coach Andrew McDonald has hinted at a possible move back there.

Former Test captain Ian Chappell said any plans to move Travis Head to the top would be an “extremely desperate ploy or an extraordinarily adventurous move” and even

Khawaja remains sceptical of batting with Smith, only because he’s the “best player ever in his position” at No.4.

Legendary former Australian keeper, Ian Healy, said head remains a “scary prospect” in the middle-order and while he likes Smith opening, that Mitch Marsh could also be an option in light of Green’s injury concerns.

“I think there is a reluctance from Travis to go up, which I would agree with. He is a much more scary proposition when the ball isn’t doing as much,” Healy told SportsBoom.com.

“I feel Cameron Green or Mitch Marsh might have been good options ... I also like Smith opening the batting. Maybe more than he does.

Cameron Green made a big century in New Zealand batting at No.4 (Photo by Marty MELVILLE / AFP)

“Now Green has a back injury, the pressure might be off, and Marsh might go out and open, and Smith drops down to 4 with Marnus (Labuschagne) and Head on either side.

Watson, who moved from the middle order to open himself, said he saw enough in Smith’s early efforts to think the 34-year-old could be an opening success.

“I believe the reason why he didn’t do so well over the previous couple of Test matches is just (that) he was a little bit off with his technique,” Watson said.

“You see him getting out a couple of ways which I’ve never really seen him get out before.

“I know he would’ve had time just to go away, make some little technical adjustments, and if he opens and he makes those little adjustments, he can be incredibly successful as an opening batter knowing the incredible skill that he’s got.”

Originally published as Steve Smith can still be successful Test opener according to Shane Watson