“I always loved that Steve Smith was at number 4”

Australian batsman Usman Khawaja has admitted that he prefers Steve Smith to bat at number 4 rather than as an opener in the side’s Test line-up. Smith has opened the batting for Australia in Tests since the retirement of David Warmer after the home series against Pakistan in early 2024.

However, the champion batsman has struggled at the top of the order, scoring just 171 runs at an average of 28.50, with just a half-century in four matches. Although Australia have won three of four matches, including an impressive 2-0 win in New Zealand, Smith’s form as an opener remains a concern.

Speaking to Fox Cricket about Smith’s opening riddle in Tests, Khawaja preferred the ace batsman to be Australia’s No.4.

“I’m not sure what the top six will be this summer. I’ve always loved Steve Smith being at number 4, I haven’t shied away from that. I love seeing him come in at number 4… you get two wickets, and who do you get in? The best batsman in the world If you open him up, I feel you give them a chance to get him early,” the opener said. .

Smith is Australia’s fourth leading run-scorer in Tests with 9,685 runs at an incredible average of 56.97 in 109 matches.

Although he has struggled as a Test opener this year, the move has helped Australia field all-rounders Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green in the playing XI.

“I’ll hit wherever they want” – Steve Smith

When asked about his favorite spot in Australia’s batting order in Tests, Steve Smith said he will bat wherever the team management wants him.

The 35-year-old has batted at No. 4 in 67 of his 109 Tests and scored nearly 6,000 runs at an average of 61.50 with 19 centuries.

“It goes a little faster when you only have ten minutes to run off the field and have to get back out quickly. Other than that I don’t think there’s much change. I’ll hit wherever they want. I’m not that busy .I’m quite easy, wherever they want to bat, wherever,” Smith told Fox Cricket.

“We’ll see what that looks like, I guess, whether they want me to continue (opening the batting) or go back to three or four. We’ll wait and see. I’m pretty easy to hit anywhere. We’ll just watch what’s happening and what the brain trust wants. I love coming up in the big series and doing well and helping the team. Hopefully there’s a lot of the same this summer,” he added.

Australia’s next Test assignment is the blockbuster five-match home series against India, starting on November 22.

Was this article helpful?

Thank you for your feedback

Edited by Samya Majumdar