Steve Smith’s short stint as a Test opener has ended after he decided to move back to the middle order for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series against India.
Smith was promoted up the order after David Warner called time on his international career in the Sydney Test against Pakistan in January this year. In his second match in his new role, he struck an unbeaten 91 against the West Indies in Brisbane. However, that was pretty much it for the right-hand batter, who scored only 51 runs in the subsequent New Zealand series in four innings.
Chief selector George Bailey confirmed that Smith will bat at No.4 in the upcoming series against India, starting in November. The decision comes after Cameron Green was ruled out for the rest of the summer due to a back injury.
"Pat [Cummins], Andrew [McDonald] and Steve Smith had been having ongoing conversations, separate to the untimely injury to Cameron (Green)," Bailey said. "Steve had expressed a desire to move back down from that opening position, and Pat and Andrew have confirmed that he will be dropping back down the order for the summer."
More to follow...
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