Australia’s two-match Test series against West Indies is all set to get underway at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday (January 17).
On the eve of the first Test, Australian skipper Pat Cummins addressed a press conference, where he confirmed that star batter Steve Smith will open the innings along with Usman Khawaja.
Following the retirement of David Warner earlier this month, Smith expressed his desire to open the batting in red-ball cricket and his wish has been granted by the team management.
In the post-match presser, Cummins claimed that 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 told reporters.
"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.
Smith’s elevation to the top of the order means all-rounder Cameron Green, who averages 65 in First-Class cricket at No.4, will bat in his preferred position.
Meanwhile, Pat Cummins also revealed that he has been in constant touch with Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris to reassure them that they remain in contention for a place in the Test team despite being ignored after David Warner's retirement.
"Obviously private phone calls, but no real surprises," Cummins said. "We love what they both are doing in first-class cricket. We love what they bring to any side they're playing in. They're doing all the right things. Unfortunately, they both just missed out on this one. So [the] message was 'don't change'.
"In international cricket, there's always injuries or these guys [the incumbents] aren't going to be around forever. Marcus and Cam are still relatively young, as is Renners. So once that opening comes up at some point, any one of them we're confident can jump straight in and do a really good job."
(With ESPNCricinfo inputs)
