NEWS
Follow UsFormer Australia captain Tim Paine said the opponents will be happy if Steven Smith continues to open the batting in Test cricket. In eight innings as an opener, the 34-year-old has scored 171 runs at an average of 28.5. He has just two 30-plus scores in these eight innings.
Smith scored that unbeaten 91 at the Gabba against West Indies but had a terrible series in New Zealand, managing just 51 runs in four innings at an average of 12.75.
"I look at it, that if I was playing against Australia, where would I prefer Steve Smith to bat? If I'm the opposition, I want him opening the batting," Paine told ESPN's Around The Wicket.
"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.
"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."
Smith decided to take David Warner’s spot so that Australia could fit in Cameron Green in the middle-order and the all-rounder responded with a game-changing 174* in the first Test at Wellington. With India set to tour Australia later this year, Paine believes Smith has earned the right to bat wherever he wants.
"I don't think anything changes. He is probably one of three or four players who has 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."
