Steve Smith says Test teammates ‘hated me up top’ as he prepares to return to favoured batting spot
Steve Smith says his top-order teammates “hated” him opening in Tests, which heavily factored into his decision to return to number four in the Australian batting line-up.
After a brief experiment with opening in Test cricket after David Warner’s retirement last summer, Smith will return to his favoured spot in the XI for the upcoming Test series against India.
Smith played eight innings as an opener earlier this year, carrying his bat for an unbeaten 91 in Australia’s shock loss to West Indies at the Gabba, but otherwise failing to pass 31.
Smith said Test teammates Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne made it clear they would prefer him to bat behind them.
“They hated me up top … so that was a big part of it,” he said.
“It was good fun, having a crack at something new [opening]. I still feel like I could do a job there, for sure … [but[ I’ve done pretty well at four for a number of years now.
“They call it security behind them — I don’t know, ask them about it. Honestly, I’m not that fussed.
“They didn’t like it at all … I can understand that.”
Smith only passed 31 once in eight innings as a Test opener. (Getty Images: Bradley Kanaris)
Smith was dismissed for 3 on Monday in his first and probably only Sheffield Shield hit-out against Victoria before reporting for national duty.
Cameron Green’s back injury opened the door for his return to number four, but Smith took umbrage with the way reports said the move came about.
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Last week, selector George Bailey said Smith had “expressed a desire” to move down the order.
“I got asked where I’d prefer to bat and I said ‘four’. I also said I’m happy batting wherever, I’m not really too fussed,” Smith said.
“I saw a few things last week, saying I’d requested to bat at four — that wasn’t the case. I said ‘I’m happy to bat wherever you’d like me to bat’, but four would be my ideal position.”
His move has left Australian selectors searching for a Test opener, but young gun NSW teammate Sam Konstas also failed in the Blues’ first innings at the MCG.
The 19-year-old, who burst into the national frame with his first century to start the Shield season, was trapped LBW for just 2 by Scott Boland, who is also pushing for a return to the Test team.
Konstas is among several top-order candidates who have failed over the last two days to press their claims ahead of the first Test.
NSW opener Nic Maddinson only managed 19 and Victorian Test hopeful Marcus Harris only made 16 after 26 in the first innings.
In Queensland’s clash with South Australia, Matt Renshaw scored 2 and Khawaja got an 11-ball duck, while Redbacks star Henry Hunt nicked off for a golden duck after scoring 136 in the first innings at Allan Border Field.
At the WACA, Western Australia’s Cameron Bancroft fell for 8.
AAP/ABC
