After David Warner’s retirement from the Test format, Steve Smith expressed his desire to open and the management backed him and gave him that position. But Smith has not been able to show anything special in the opening position so far. He scored 91 runs in the Gaba Test against West Indies, which is his first fifty-plus score in four innings while opening. Smith’s average as an opener in Tests is 28.50, which is much less than his 56.97 in this format.

Meanwhile, former Australia head coach Justin Langer feels that Steve Smith should return to number four in the next Test series, which is against India. He has said that the experienced batsman will definitely improve as an opener, but Smith will do better at number four. Smith’s opening partner Usman Khawaja also feels that the veteran should bat at number four.

Steve Smith can bat at any number: Justin Langer

Speaking on the Cricket et al podcast, Justin Langer said,

He is our greatest player, great players adapt to conditions, they can bat at any position. I think he is best suited to bat at number four for the Australian cricket team.

Justin Langer further said,

I think it is a specialised position (No. 4). It is not that he cannot do it (open the batting). I would love to see him bat at No. 4, but then they have to work out who will not play. I think it was about trying to bring Cameron Green up.

Australia is scheduled to play a five-match Test series against India under the Border-Gavaskar Trophy from November. The Kangaroo team had to face a 2-1 defeat in the last two Test series against India at home. The team is desperate to give a crushing defeat to Rohit Sharma and company in the upcoming series.

Skipper Pat Cummins has already confirmed that he will back all-rounders in the five-match series and if he wants to keep both Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh in the team, Smith will remain in the playing XI as an opener.