Justin Langer, former head coach of Australia, has suggested that Steve Smith should return to batting at No. 4 in Test cricket. Langer believes that while Smith has the ability to adapt and perform well at various positions, he is ideally suited for the No. 4 spot.
The discussion about Smith’s batting position has been a prominent issue in Australian cricket recently. Previously, Smith occupied the No. 4 position but was moved to open the innings following David Warner’s retirement from Test cricket. This adjustment also allowed for Cameron Green to be included in the team.
However, this change hasn’t been favorable for Smith, as his performance has suffered. As an opener, Smith has averaged only 28.5 in the recent two-Test series, a stark contrast to his impressive career average of 56.97 over 109 Tests. He has struggled significantly against the new ball in these matches.
Justin Langer gives his viewpoint on Steve Smith’s batting position in Tests
Justin Langer feels that Steve Smith is best suited to the No. 4 spot. Although Smith is versatile, Langer feels that No. 4 is a specialized position and Smith should go back to his old batting spot.
“He’s the greatest player we’ve had. Great players adapt, they can bat anywhere in the order. For the Australian cricket team, I think he’s best suited to bat number four,” Langer said on the Cricket et al podcast.
“I think it’s (batting at No. 4) a really specialized position. It’s not that he can’t do it (open the batting). I’d love to see him bat at No. 4, but then they have to work out who doesn’t play,” Langer added.
“My observation was that it was more about trying to get Cameron Green in and Mitch Marsh had taken that [all-rounders’] role, but they wanted to get the best young player into the XI,” he further added.
Usman Khawaja wants Steve Smith at No. 4
A few days ago, Steve Smith’s opening parner Usman Khawaja also expressed his desire to play Smith at No. 4. He believes that the opposition have a big chance to get him out early if he comes out to open.
“I know Steve Smith can score runs at one, two, three, four, five or six, but the man averages 60 at four, so my preference has always been Smudge [Smith] at four,” Khawaja had said during a recent Cricket Australia content capture day.
“I love seeing him come in at No. 4 … you get two wickets, and who do you get walking in? The best batsman in the world. When you put him up to open, I feel like you’re kind of giving them a chance to get at him early,” he added.
Steve Smith’s desire to open the innings
The decision to shift Steve Smith to the opening position in Test cricket was not solely made by the selectors; Smith himself expressed a keen interest in taking on the challenge of facing the new ball. He publicly stated his desire for this new role.
By moving Smith to open the innings, Cameron Green was given the opportunity to bat at No. 4, a position in which he has performed admirably. In the recent Tests against New Zealand, Green scored 238 runs across four innings at an average of 79.33, finishing as the series’ top run-scorer.
Looking ahead, Smith’s next Test assignment will be the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024 against India. At 35 years old, he is expected to confront a formidable Indian bowling attack, which will challenge him across all phases of the game.