Steve Smith ‘very interested’ and ‘pretty keen’ to open the batting in Tests

In a very interesting development that’s come out of the blue, Steve Smith has admitted that he would be very interested in opening the batting in Test cricket for Australia going forward, succeeding David Warner at the top of the order.

Warner is currently playing his last ever Test for Australia, but a successor has not been earmarked for the 37-year-old yet. Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft and Matt Renshaw are the logical contenders but both Andrew McDonald and Pat Cummins have hinted at the possibility of Cameron Green also opening, due to the right-hander being among the best batters in the country.

Now, in an interesting twist, Smith has thrown his name in the hat in the aftermath of Day 3 of the Sydney Test against Pakistan.

“I’m actually happy to go up the top. I’m pretty keen, if that’s what they want to do,” Smith told ABC Grandstand on Friday (January 5).

“I’m sure the selectors and the captain and coach will have a talk after this game, but I’m certainly interested, for sure.”

Opening in red-ball cricket will be a very new challenge for Smith, who has never previously opened the batting at the first-class level. He does, however, have plenty of experience batting at No.3, having played 20 Tests for Australia at one drop, averaging a staggering 67.66.

Smith has, however, previously opened the batting in T20 cricket, for multiple sides, including Australia.

Arguably the best Test batter of his generation, Smith is currently in the midst of a rare lean patch. The 34-year-old is averaging just 36.09 across his last 11 Test innings, with no hundreds to his name. As a result, his career average has also dropped below 58.00 (57.98).