Steve Smith reportedly set to become Australia’s new opener, Cam Green returns

The first news about the Australian Test squad has leaked with one star reportedly being given the nod in a high-profile switch.

The music has stopped in the great Australian cricket game of musical chairs — and Cameron Bancroft has been left without a seat.

The Western Australian batter has reportedly been snubbed by selectors with the full squad for Australia’s Test series against the West Indies to be confirmed on Tuesday night.

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The decision about Warner’s replacement has been the most divisive issue this summer of cricket.

Mitchell Johnson this week took a shot at selectors for failing to have a plan in place — knowing Warner’s plans to walk away after the Pakistan series.

The Sydney Morning Herald first reported Green and Smith were the frontrunners to partner Usman Khawaja.

But The Herald Sun now reports that Smith is poised to win the race, while Green will regain his preferred place at fourth in the order against the West Indies in Adelaide next week.

Bancroft, Marcus Harris and Matt Renshaw were the obvious candidates to replace Warner, but the push to squeeze Green into the team has been too hard for selectors to ignore.

Green has been unable to get his spot back in the team with Mitchell Marsh locking down the No. 6 role.

Cameron Green, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft.

The situation took a dramatic turn over the weekend with Smith publicly stating he wants to open the batting.

Aussie legend Matthew Hayden this week declared his support for Renshaw, insisting selectors would be wrong to bump Smith up the order.

However, former Aussie Test captain Michael Clarke has emphatically backed the concept of Smith moving to the top of the order.

He said the added time Smith could get as an opening batter means he could even chase Brian Lara’s iconic 400-run record.

“He is that good a player. It might be that challenge he’s looking for,” Clarke said on ESPN’s Around the Wicket Podcast.

“If he opens, he will be the best opener within 12 months. Don’t be surprised if he breaks Brian Lara’s 400 record because he’s that good and now he’s got the whole day.

“If he wants to do it, I think they will allow him to do it. Listening to Patty Cummins’ quotes, I think it’s a simple swap. I think Cameron Green is going to come in to open the batting for David Warner unless Steve Smith wants to do it. If he does, they might go Steve Smith to open and Cam Green at No. 4 or Green to No. 6.”

Johnson earlier said Renshaw and Bancroft were the obvious options.

Cameron Bancroft and David Warner. Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images.

“Selectors have long known about Warner’s nominated retirement date and should have had a plan in place.” he wrote in a column for The West-Australian.

“What have they been saying to State cricketers around selection - play in your position and score runs?

“Cricket is all about being adaptable but it’s also a game where you need to be confident in your role – whether that’s at number three or four or as an opener.

“Cameron Bancroft, Matt Renshaw and Marcus Harris have been asked to go and score runs at first-class level. What more can Bancroft have done to get another opportunity than be the Sheffield Shield’s leading run-scorer last season and again this season?

“Either Bancroft or Renshaw deserve to open the batting with Usman Khawaja in the first Test against the West Indies later this month.

“Bancroft, 31, because he has gone back and done what he was asked to do. Or Renshaw, 27, because he has had some success at Test level in the past and has more time left in the game.”