Steve Smith’s lobbying campaign to open batting
The stats that reveal why Australia’s No.4 batter may be the best option to replace David Warner.
Steve Smith has lobbied for weeks to replace David Warner at the top of the order and will be considered for the promotion, but selectors are conscious of changing the established order in the side.
His friend Marnus Labuschagne believes Smith should be given a chance and is the “front runner”, while coach Andrew McDonald admits that one positive aspect of moving Smith is that he wants the job where others have expressed reluctance to change.
The selection staff are keen to find a way to get Cameron Green into the Australian line up, but know that it would mean re-engineering an existing batter to replace the opener who retired in Sydney.
Marnus Labuschagne and Mitch Marsh have both made it clear they would prefer stay in their existing positions, and there would be reluctance to uproot and replant Travis Head, at least outside of matches on the subcontinent. Green could do the job but there would be concerns about him opening immediately after a fielding innings in which he would presumably bowl.
McDonald acknowledged that Smith was keen.
“I think he had some strong thoughts yesterday on that,” he said. “He made those public, so we’ll consider all options.
“It’s nice to have him putting his hand up. I think there were a few others that weren’t putting their hand up. “
The coach said the counter argument was that Smith was established at No.4.
“Steve at three or four is pretty appetising also. You’ve got to make sure you’re not removing the strengths of the team in the search to fill a gap also. So there’s a balance within that.
“He’s mentioned (opening) throughout the last couple of weeks. He’s put his view forward and we will consider all options.”
Smith confirmed reports in The Australian that he was interested in the job when he spoke to ABC Grandstand on day three of the SCG Test.
“I’m actually happy to go up the top,” Smith said. “I’m pretty keen if that’s what they want to do. I’m sure the selectors and Ron (Andrew McDonald) and Patty (Cummins) will have a chat after this game but yeah, I’m certainly interested for sure.”
Warner scored 57 from 75 deliveries on a tricky fourth day pitch to help Australia home in the Sydney Test, illustrating the importance his 8786 Test runs at a strike rate of 70 have been to his country.
“There are many different ways to play as an opener,” he said. “We’ve been lucky in having David Warner and sometimes people that play that way aren’t exactly replaceable. There’s not another David Warner out there.
“It was fantastic to see the way and the intent he played with. A small and tricky run chase, that wicket wasn’t easy, but the ability to put pressure back onto the bowler all the time, it was a joy to watch in his final innings.
“That’ll be considered in terms of what we look for in an opener, but it’s more so what we look for in the top seven batters. You can have complementing skillsets within that and how they operate and function. But there’s no doubt you want some players within that order that are able to put pressure back on. We’ve seen Travis Head to do that with great success in the last 12 months or so.”
Smith’s friend and batting partner Labuschagne pushed his case, pointing out that he has not performed as well since moving down the order.
“He averages 58 at five, 61 at four and 67 at three, so it seems like the higher he goes the more he averages,” Labuschagne said.
“I’ve got no doubt if that’s the way we went, he would do very well.
“He really wants it, he wants that motivation … waiting to bat is not his forte, he wants to get out there straight away.”
Labuschagne is less keen to move, but does not rule it out.
“I’m happy to do what the team needs, but I do love batting at three, I love the variety of the role,” he said.
“At the moment it could be anyone … I’ve seen the media throwing around Travis Head, throwing around me, obviously the three openers outside of the squad, Cameron Bancroft, Matt Renshaw and Marcus Harris.
“Smudge (Steve Smith) seems like the lead frontrunner, the one that really wants it.”
More Coverage
Teen bolster rushed to England for one-day series
A 19-year-old quick with just one state match under his belt has been rushed to England as an understudy for Australia’s depleted one-day squad.
Healy takes Olympic legend to task over commentary slight
Swimming legend Ian Thorpe has found himself in the crosshair’s of Australian cricket great Alyssa Healy – who has taken umbrage at a piece of commentary from the Paris Olympics.