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Cricket Australia (CA)‘s decision to select Steve Smith as a new opener for the side in the Test cricket has sparked a debate among cricket enthusiasts.
Although the chair of selectors, George Bailey, has officially endorsed Smith as David Warner’s replacement as Australia’s opener in red-ball cricket, this move has received mixed verdict from pundits worldwide. Now, former South African great AB de Villiers also shared his thoughts on this decision.
AB de Villiers examines Australia’s choice
De Villiers expressed his reservations about the idea of Smith opening the innings for Australia in Test cricket, suggesting that Smith should continue batting at No. 4, a position where he has found the most success over the years.
“I don’t know if I agree with this (Smith opening). Where has he got the most success in the past ten years and the highest average of all batters in the past ten years? He has won so many games for Australia. When bowlers pick up 2-3 early wickets, they still know they have to get past Steve Smith, or else he will win the game for his side,” De Villiers said on his Youtube channel.
Also READ: Cricket Australia announces 13-man squad for West Indies ODIs; Steve Smith to lead
De Villiers anticipates challenges for Smith as an opener
De Villiers further pointed out that if Smith were to be dismissed early in his new role as an opener, opposition bowling attacks could gain momentum and become confident about quickly dismissing the entire Australian side, possibly within minutes or hours.
“Smith has a big match temperament. But now if you throw him up the order, suddenly he gets two good nuts and two ducks, he is suddenly not playing an integral part of the glue holding the Australian middle order together. I wouldn’t agree with that, but it is upto Cricket Australia to make the decision.” the 39-year-old concluded.
David Warner’s void: Cricket Australia’s quest for a replacement
Smith’s move to the opening position comes in the backdrop of Cricket Australia’s quest for a long-term replacement for Warner, who recently retired from Test cricket. As the team prepares to face the West Indies in a two-match Test series starting on January 17 at Adelaide, the debate around Smith’s new role continues to captivate the cricketing world.
Also READ: West Indies announce squad for the white-ball series against Australia; drops a star player
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