While Usman Khawaja is the other designated opener, Australia will need to find a replacement to fill the void left by Warner.
The retirement of dynamic left-handed opener David Warner from the national team has left a significant gap in Australia’s Test batting line-up.
Australia have experimented with playing Steve Smith in that role, but the former captain, often regarded as the greatest Test batsman of his generation, has struggled to perform as usual when batting at number 4.
Speaking about the possibility of Smith opening, he told reporters: “I have no idea, there are conversations going on in the background.”
While Usman Khawaja is the other designated opener, Australia will need to find a replacement to fill the void left by Warner.
With such a major early crisis to resolve, we take a look at the three batsmen who can pair up with Usman Khawaja at the top of the batting order.
Steve Smith
Without an ideal candidate emerging from domestic cricket to fill the position, Australia may have no choice but to persist with Steve Smith as opener in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. This would mean that Smith might have to face the formidable duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami with the new ball. Usman Khawaja, who would partner Smith at the top if this scenario plays out, has expressed his preference to see the 35-year-old in the No. 4 spot, a sentiment echoed by Marnus Labuschagne.
Smith has endured a relatively weak period compared to his usual form, resulting in a notable decline in his Test average. Smith has maintained an average above 50 when hitting anywhere in the top five except as a starter. His performance as an opener has been disappointing, averaging just 28.50 in the four matches he has started for Australia.
Marnus Labuschagne
This is the simplest and least disruptive solution to the existing setup, although it does not return Smith to fourth place. Labuschagne and Smith could easily swap positions in the batting order. Labuschagne has opened 15 times in first-class matches, including a recent century for Glamorgan against Middlesex in May. His experience opening in first-class cricket is equal to that of Smith and Travis Head combined.
ALSO READ: A World Test XI that can beat India in India
travis head
Travis Head’s solid performance as an opener and his success in the white-ball format has led to discussions about his possible inclusion as Australia’s opener in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India.
Previously, Head featured as an opener during the 2023 Test tour of India where he posted unbeaten scores of 49 and 90 in challenging conditions, which has only strengthened his case.
For more updates, follow Cricxtasy on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Telegram and YouTube.