Australian opener Usman Khawaja has expressed strong opinions on Steve Smith’s batting position within the Test team, advocating for a return to the No. 4 spot for the former captain. Since Smith was promoted to open the batting after David Warner’s retirement, there has been ongoing debate about the effectiveness of this change. Khawaja argues that while Smith’s adaptability is admirable, his optimal position remains at No. 4, where he has historically excelled. This comes amid concerns over Australia’s recent dip in run production and potential lineup adjustments for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Khawaja Advocates for Smith at No. 4
Usman Khawaja has strongly voiced his opinion that Steve Smith should return to the No. 4 spot in Australia’s Test batting lineup. Khawaja believes that despite Smith’s willingness to bat anywhere, his most effective position has historically been at No. 4. According to Khawaja, placing Smith in this position would provide a better balance to the team, with Marnus Labuschagne at No. 3 and Smith at No. 4 offering a more stable and productive middle order.
Khawaja highlighted Australia’s recent struggles with the batting lineup after David Warner’s retirement, pointing out that the team has only crossed the 300-run mark once in eight innings since Smith was promoted to open. He suggests that returning Smith to No. 4 could potentially help the team score more runs, as the batting performance has dipped since the change was made.
Potential Opening Partnership with Travis Head
Khawaja also mentioned the possibility of Travis Head partnering him at the top of the order. He noted that Head has shown considerable success as an opener in one-day cricket, and his inclusion could address the team’s current batting concerns. Khawaja expressed his belief that Head might be best suited for the role, though he acknowledged that the final decision rests with the selectors.
Watch Somerset Clinches County Championship in a Thrilling Finale; 13 players in a single frame.
The discussion around Smith’s batting position and potential opening partnership reflects broader concerns about optimizing the Australian batting lineup. Khawaja’s suggestion to move Smith back to No. 4 and consider Head for the opening spot is part of ongoing deliberations aimed at enhancing the team’s performance for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, and Instagram
