Following Warner’s retirement in the New Year’s Test against Pakistan at the SCG, Australia’s search for Usman Khawaja’s opening partner has begun. The likes of Cameron Bancroft, Matt Renshaw and Will Pucovski are viable alternatives from the domestic circuit with prior international experiences. However, Clarke backed Smith as the next opener if he wished to become one, a suggestion originally given by his former teammate Shane Watson.

“If he wants to do it, I think they will allow him to do it. Listening to Patty Cummins’ quotes, I think it’s a simple swap. I think Cameron Green is going to come in to open the batting for David Warner unless Steve Smith wants to do it. If he does, they might go Steve Smith to open and Cam Green at No.4 or Green to No.6,” Clarke said on ESPN’s Around the Wicket Podcast.

He also felt that Smith’s probable promotion at the top could buy him time to break Brian Lara’s highest Test score of 400 runs in an innings: “He [Smith] is that good a player. It might be that challenge he’s looking for. If he opens, he will be the best opener within 12 months. 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.”

Earlier, while speaking to ABC Radio after Stumps on Day 3 of the Sydney Test against Pakistan, Smith expressed his interest in the new role, saying he is “pretty keen” to do it.

“I’m actually happy to go up the top. I am pretty keen if that is what they want to do. I’m sure the selectors and ‘Ron’ (coach Andrew McDonald) and Patty (captain Pat Cummins) will have a chat after this game, but I am certainly interested. For sure.”

Smith is yet to open the innings in his 13-year-long Test career. With 9514 Test runs at an average of 58.01, including 32 tons, he currently bats at No.4, where he averages 61.50.