Former Pakistan player Basit Ali believes that Australia’s star batter, Steve Smith decided to open the batting in Tests because his side was taking on ‘weak’ opponents. Though Smith isn’t a natural opener, he has been batting at that position due to former opener, David Warner announcing his retirement from red-ball cricket back in January.
Basit challenged Smith to open against the fierce Indian bowling attack in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series.
“Does the Australian team have the courage to prepare a grassy or bouncy track? Will Steve Smith open the batting this time too? He changed his batting position to open against weaker teams. Open the batting now, it will be fun,” Basit said.
Smith played against West Indies and New Zealand as an opener in Tests but was only able to score a total of 41 runs combined in 5 innings. If he does open against India as well, then there is a big possibility that he will be dismissed by the Indian pacers during the early overs.
The Border-Gavaskar series will be having 5 Test matches and it will kick-off on November 22 at Perth.
