AUS v WI 2024: WATCH – Steve Smith scores 12 in his first innings as Test opener; debutant Shamar Joseph gets his wicket

Smith failed to make a mark in his first innings as Test opener.

By Salman Anjum - 17 Jan, 2024

Steve Smith’s journey as a Test opener got off to a disappointing start as he fell for just 12 runs in Australia’s first innings on Day 1 of the Adelaide Test against West Indies.

Following the retirement of David Warner earlier this month, Smith expressed his desire to open the batting in red-ball cricket and his wish was granted by the team management.

However, the star batter failed to make a mark in his maiden innings at the top of the order. Smith was dismissed by fast bowler Shamar Joseph, who is making his Test debut at the Adelaide Oval.

Interestingly, Joseph got rid of Steve Smith with his first delivery in Test cricket. The right-arm pacer induced a thick outside edge of Smith’s bat and Justin Greaves, stationed at third slip, dived across to his left to complete a good low catch.

Here’s the video:

Ahead of the game, Australian skipper Pat Cummins claimed that Steve Smith was ‘happy and energetic’ about his new role in the Test side.

"Seeing someone who's basically achieved everything in the game get really excited for a new challenge, you've got to entertain that. You can already see his mind whirring about how he's maybe going to go about it a bit differently,” Cummins said in the pre-match presser.

"I've never seen him as happy and as energetic as I've seen him around the nets the last couple of days. He can't wait to get out there. Also think the new ball, maybe [there will be] a few more scoring options. It's something that excites him. So that makes sense and getting Greeny a spot where we think he is set up to succeed," he added.

By Salman Anjum - 17 Jan, 2024

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