‘Selfless’ Smith fills Warner void as Bailey backs Green to deliver

Steve-Smith-and-Cameron-Green. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Cricket Australia chief selector George Bailey stated that the decision to make Steven Smith the next Test opener was to extend the latter’s already storied red-ball career. He spoke about the former Test captain’s new batting position in the wake of the 13-man Test squad released for the two-match home series against West Indies, starting on December 17.

Bailey also disclosed that the main reason behind the 34-year-old’s promotion was to include all-arounder Cameron Green in the XI, who will occupy Smith’s previous position at number four. Interestingly, Bailey has consulted Test captain Pat Cummins and men’s team coach Andrew McDonald before the final batting order was decided. However, the fact that Matthew Renshaw, the Queensland opener has been recalled as the “extra batter” confirms that he is the next potential opener, ahead of Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft.

“For all intents and purposes, this is where Steve wants to stay. One of the things I’m really excited about the change is that I think he’s really motivated and energised and excited about the opportunity, and fingers crossed that can provide some longevity in the format. For someone who has achieved as much as he has over such a long period of time across all formats, it’s a challenge or an itch he’d like to scratch and ultimately for us, as a team, it’s something that fits,” Bailey was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

“It’s selfless that someone who’s had such success in one position or a couple of positions in the middle order, that he’s willing and hungry to have a crack at something different. And it provides an opportunity to slot Greeny into number four where he’s had success for Western Australia. The regard in which we hold Cameron and the way the rest of that batting order is functioning left us feeling we have someone we think is pretty talented who was potentially going to find it pretty hard to get any Test cricket in the next 12 months or so,” the 41-year-old added.

I think Green is technically capable of opening: Bailey

George Bailey further stated that they had discussed the possibility of Cameron Green as a top-order batter. However, later opted to keep the dynamic all-rounder in the middle-order where he has excelled for Western Australia at the domestic level.

“I think he’s technically capable of doing that (opening). But also as a younger guy who is potentially going to bowl some overs as well, and given the enormous success at first-class level wherever he’s batted but particularly at four or five, I think it (four) is the ideal spot for him to set him up for success,” the former Australia cricketer added.

Australia Test squad v West Indies: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc.