Steve Smith took a sly dig at critics questioning his credentials as Australia’s Test opener after scoring an unbeaten 91 at Gabba against West Indies.

Smith was promoted to open the innings in the home Tests against West Indies after David Warner’s retirement, pipping several other potential candidates. However, he didn’t have a swift transition in his new role, returning with scores of 2, 11 not out and six in his first three innings.

Despite the initial difficulties, Smith, who has scored 27 of his 32 Test tons at No.3 or No.4, insisted that he didn’t doubt himself after moving up the order: “There was a lot of commentary around I’d failed in two or three innings – I had a not out and two low scores. Now I’m averaging 60 as an opener. It was just another position; I’ve battled against the new ball numerous times, coming in early.

“I’ve enjoyed the first couple of weeks of it … if they see fit to move me back down, I’ll do whatever the team needs.”

In an exhilarating finish of the second Australia-West Indies Test at Gabba, Smith, with an unbeaten 91 off 146 deliveries, became the first Australia batter since Warner in 2011 to carry his bat, and almost pulled off a miraculous win. But he was left stranded as a spirited Shamar Joseph, playing with a toe injury, tore apart the Australia batting line-up with 7-68 to hand the West Indies their first Test win in Australia since 1997.

Smith was all praise for Joseph after the game, sharing a conversation he overheard between Joseph and Kraigg Brathwaite during the final throes of the game.

“I overheard a conversation, I think we were seven down just before lunch and I overheard him speaking to Kraigg … he’s [Joseph] like, ‘I’m bowling to the end, man’,” said Smith.

“He’s a rare talent and I think it’s great for cricket what he was able to do and see the West Indies competing like they did. He just kept coming in, and actually probably bowled faster at the end rather than the start.”

Smith will lead Australia in the upcoming ODI series against the West Indies in Pat Cummins’ absence. It will be their first 50-over encounter since winning the record-sixth World Cup title by beating hosts India in late 2023.

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