One of the best batsmen in test cricket, Steven Smith, has a new role for the Australian team. After the retirement of David Warner, Steve Smith decided to shift his batting position from middle order to opener.
Speaking about Steven Smith as the opener for Australia Former Australian skipper Tim Paine shared his opinion, saying that the opponents have the best chance to get Smith out with the new ball itself.
In his recent interaction with ESPN, Tim Paine said, "I look at it; if I were playing against Australia, where would I prefer Steve Smith to bat? If I'm the opposition, I want him opening the batting."
"I want my best bowlers at their freshest with a brand new ball. I was in that Ashes in 2019 and went to England with him in another one, and when he was at his best, batting at four, you just felt he couldn't get out.
Paine further stated, "I would love to see him succeed as an opener; I think he can; there's no doubt about that; he's good enough to bat anywhere, but as an opposition player, I want him at the top of the order because that gives me the best chance of getting him out."
Steve Smith has not had the best time with the bat since he started to open the innings for Australia. In four test matches, Steve Smith scored 12, 11, 6, 91, 31, 0, 11, and 9. Steve Smith will be next seen in a five-match test series against India in November.
With India's pace bowling attack, composed of Shami Siraj and Bumrah, it would not be as easy for Smith, but Paine feels that the stalwart is going to dominate next summer.
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Paine said, "I don't think anything changes," of Australia's batting order. "(Smith) is probably one of three or four players who have ever played for Australia who can probably do what he's doing at the moment. He's earned the right, in my opinion, to bat wherever he wants, and if he wants and is driven enough to be Australia's Test opener, I think he'll make it work, and you'll see him come out next summer and dominate."