All-rounder Cameron Green’s back injury has forced Australia to alter the batting order for the upcoming five-Test series against India, with veteran campaigner Steve Smith set to return to N. 4 position after a short stint as an opener.
However, the Aussies are currently in a pickle with figuring out who would open the batting along with Usman Khawaja as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy nears.
The names of Cameron Bancroft, Sam Konstas, Marcus Harris and even Josh Inglis are floating around as possible partners.
Amid the debate, former skipper Michael Clarke has advocated for the inclusion of a specialist opener, backing away from his earlier prediction of Smith breaking Brian Lara’s 400 record at the top of the innings.
“We made a mistake in getting Steve Smith to open the batting in Test cricket, so let’s not make the same mistake. Let’s pick a specialist opener, whoever is best equipped. How can you justify Josh Inglis is a better person to open the batting in a Test match against this Indian attack than a specialist opener?”
“He scored Shield runs, yes, but he bats in the middle order. It’s not just about who’s making runs right here, right now. That is not how you select an Australian cricket team,” Clarke said on Sky Sports Radio.
Earlier this year, Clarke had expressed confidence in Steve Smith’s ability to become the world’s best Test opener.
"If he [Smith] wants to open the batting and they give him the chance, he'll be the No. 1 Test opener within 12 months. He's that good a player. If you can bat at three you can bat anywhere in the order. Technically he's good enough, lets the ball go well, he's got a great eye, got beautiful hands. Yes, he might nick the occasional one or might get lbw but tell me someone who doesn't. So if he opens the batting he'll be the best opener within 12 months. [And] don't be surprised if he breaks Brian Lara's 400 record because he's that good and now he's got the whole day," Clarke had said in an appearance on ESPN's Around The Wicket show.
Meanwhile, Michael Clarke highlighted the silliness of misjudging openers’ skill due to a couple of tough outings in the Sheffield Shield.
“The problem they have at the moment is the top three contenders who are specialist opening batters are not making runs in Shield cricket. Who gives a shit? It’s been two Shield rounds on wickets that are seaming – who cares? It can’t just be about making runs in the two Shield games.”
Clarke threw his weight being Cameron Bancroft for the opening slot, given his consistent performances over the last couple of years in Shield cricket.
“I would probably go with Cameron Bancroft because he’s been the leading run scorer for the last two years in Shield cricket. I care about Shield cricket. I think he’s earned the right to be selected based on runs.”
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is slated to get underway on November 22 in Perth and the action will then shift to Adelaide (December 6-10), where both teams will face each other in a Day-Night Test. The last three Tests are set to take place in Brisbane (December 14-18), Melbourne (December 26-30), and Sydney (January 3-7).
(With agency inputs)
