Former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson believes that Steve Smith got the opportunity to open in Test cricket when he wasn't at his best. Smith returned to his old position of no.4 despite showing interest to open the innings after Cameron Green got ruled out for six months due to back injury.
“Steve wanted to open. He was super keen to take up a new challenge,” Watson said on Willow Talk Cricket Podcast. “But one thing with that opportunity he had was he wasn’t actually batting at his best at that time. So he got an opportunity to open and Steve Smith at his very best would have made the most out of it because he just loves scoring runs whether it is opening or at No 4. You could see it a few times he got out when he was opening – his game and his technique was a little bit off."
Smith averages 61.50 at no.4. He opened the innings in four Tests and scored 171 runs from eight innings. His best was 91 not out against West Indies at The Gabba, Brisbane in a losing cause earlier this year.
After David Warner's retirement, Smith filled up the opening position. However, a few of his teammates wanted him to return to his original position where he scored 5,966 runs in the format. George Bailey-led selection committee has picked Nathan McSweeney as the opener in the 13-man squad for Perth Test.
Watson impressed with Smith's current form
Watson has backed Smith to do well in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. While he failed to convert starts (44, 35) into big scores in the two ODIs against Pakistan, Watson feels that the 35-year-old will score runs against India.
“In the one-day series (against Pakistan), in one of the innings at the MCG — wow, it looked like the very best of him. Jeez, he had so much time and had all the shots. I’m confident that Smith would bring that version of him into this summer and whether he bats at No 4 or opening, he will score runs,” the 43-year-old added.
Smith's record vs India
Smith has a decent record against India scoring 2,042 runs from 19 Tests at an average of 65.87 including nine centuries and five fifties.
