‌IND vs AUS | Steve Smith to relinquish opening slot for middle order role in Border Gavaskar Trophy
Former Australia captain and stalwart Steven Smith is set to relinquish the opening slot to revert back to the No. 4 position for the forthcoming India versus Australia Test series this summer. This leaves Cricket Australia with four nominees to fill the void as an opener alongside Usman Khawaja.
"Pat, Andrew, and Steve Smith had been having ongoing conversations, separate to the untimely injury to Cameron (Green). Steve had expressed a desire to move back down from that opening position, and Pat and Andrew have confirmed that he will be dropping back down the order for the summer,” Bailey expressed.Â
With Cameron Green ruled out with an injury, the No. 4 spot was there to be filled. However, it is learned that Smith’s revert back to his original position was a plan being discussed even before Green’s setback. This leaves the Aussie selectors with four potential options to open the batting along with Khawaja.Â
Sam Konstas, who was drafted into the Australia A side right after his twin double tons in his five-match First Class career, is one of the players to watch out for. The 19-year-old became the first Australian to do so since an 18-year-old Ricky Ponting hit twin centuries in 1993. The other candidates for the opening slot are Marcus Harris, Matt Renshaw, and Cameron Bancroft.Â
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