While Usman Khawaja is the other earmarked opener, Australia will need to find an alternate to fill in the void left by Warner.
Dynamic left-handed opener David Warner’s retirement from the national side has left a significant gap in the Australian Test batting lineup.
Australia has experimented by playing Steve Smith in that role but the former captain, often regarded as the finest Test batter of his generation, has struggled to perform as his usual standard when batting at No. 4.
Speaking about the possibility of Smith opening, he told reporters.“I have no idea, there is conversations happening in the background”.
While Usman Khawaja is the other earmarked opener, Australia will need to find an alternate to fill in the void left by Warner.
With such a major opening crisis to fill, we take a look at the three batters who can pair along with Usman Khawaja at top of the batting order.
Steve Smith
With no ideal candidate emerging from domestic cricket to fill the position, Australia may be left with no choice but to persist with Steve Smith as an opener in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. This would mean that Smith might have to face the formidable pace duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami with the new ball. Usman Khawaja, who would partner Smith at the top if this scenario plays out, has expressed his preference for seeing the 35-year-old at No. 4, a sentiment echoed by Marnus Labuschagne.
Smith has endured a relatively lean spell compared to his usual form, resulting in a noticeable decline in his Test average. Smith has maintained an average above 50 when batting anywhere in the top five positions, except as an opener. His performance as an opener has been underwhelming, with an average of just 28.50 in the four matches he has opened for Australia.
Marnus Labuschagne
This is the most straightforward and least disruptive solution to the existing setup, though it doesn’t restore Smith to the No. 4 spot. Labuschagne and Smith could easily exchange their positions in the batting order. Labuschagne has opened 15 times in first-class matches, including a recent century for Glamorgan against Middlesex in May. His experience opening in first-class cricket equals that of Smith and Travis Head combined.
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Travis Head
Travis Head’s strong performance as an opener and his success in the white-ball format have led to discussions about his possible inclusion as Australia’s opener in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India.
Head previously had a stint as an opener during the 2023 Test tour of India, where he scored an unbeaten 49 and 90 in challenging conditions, which has only strengthened his case.
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