Australian News – Steven Smith: Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja hate me for opening
Australia’s chairman of selectors George Bailey confirmed last week that Smith would not open against India saying Smith had “expressed a desire to step back from that opening position” and that captain Pat Cummins and Andrew McDonald had made the decision.
McDonald said on ABC Radio over the weekend that he and Cummins were the key decision makers in the program, reducing Smith’s influence.
Smith wanted on the record that he did not specifically ask to return to No. He also added that Khawaja and Labuschagne both expressed their displeasure with his opening.
“I was asked where I like to bat, I said four. I didn’t ask [to move] but,” said Smith. “I said again that I was glad to hit anywhere. I haven’t really been challenged. I was asked where my choice would be, I said four. I saw a few things last week that I asked to call at four o’clock. It wasn’t like that. I said I’m happy to hit wherever you want me to hit but, yes, four would be my ideal position.”
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Marnus Labuschagne (then select midfielder)
“They just like the…they call it safety behind them, in a way. They were very tough on me not hitting there. So that was a big part of it. And obviously, I have a good record on it. Four.
“It was nice to have a crack at something new, to hit the top. I still feel like I can do a job there for sure. It was a very small sample. But I’ve done the best of the four for a number of years now and I feel like that’s where I can be the best in this group right now.”
Smith would go even if Green was injured as talks took place ahead of England’s tour of a few overs.
He was asked if he felt he could have continued in the role for a long time as his average of 28.50 in four Tests in a career was not that bad as no opener averaged more than 32 in those four Tests.
“Honestly, I’m not that worried,” Smith said. “I said when I took that job, I don’t really deny where I hit. The conversations I had with other guys didn’t like it at all. They wanted safety, I think behind them, where. I did really well for several years, and I understand that and it is and I will not open this summer.
Smith took 3 from 29 balls for New South Wales against Victoria in his first red-ball innings since the New Zealand Test series in March and his first Sheffield Shield match since 2021.
On a day when 15 wickets fell at the MCG in difficult batting conditions, Smith was happy with the innings despite being caught on the leg side by Fergus O’Neill.
“I actually felt pretty good out there, to be honest, the three I hit was pretty crazy,” Smith said. “I felt like I was going good. I was going good, and I had a little bit of bad luck with that kind of a little bit down the leg side. And that can happen. But I actually felt like I was going in. Good positions. My bat path was good and I feel really good about that.
“He was unlucky I think,” Smith said. “It looked like it just rolled a little bit in the leg. I haven’t seen much. I would have liked to see a little bit of him here in the middle. But I saw it. You saw it in the nets, you have a lot of time.
“He is very organized. He bowls fast and spins well which I have seen in the few times I have seen him bat, he looks really good. He is a brilliant player. We have to remember that he is only 19 years old. He also has a lot of time but from what I have seen so far, it looks promising.
“He has all the things he needs to do to be a top Test player. That’s for sure. Whether it’s now or in the future, time will tell.”
“There are a couple of really good players, guys who have done really well the last couple of years,” Smith said. “[Cameron] Bancroft and the usual suspects that have been mentioned. Maddo I think is another really good candidate. He had a good few years. If you want someone like Davey’s replacement, he gets behind the ball and can score very quickly.
“So he’s a guy who maybe hasn’t been talked about by all of you guys in the last little while, but I think he’s someone who can play Test cricket and have the same impact that Davey has had up top. , the way he plays. We will wait and see.
Alex Malcolm is the editor of ESPNcricinfo
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