Tim Paine opines about Steve Smith’s struggle as an opener

Steven Smith requested to go to the top of the order following David Warner’s retirement from the longest format of the game, and the club management agreed. The seasoned batter hasn’t taken advantage of the chances, though. In the first Test match against the West Indies, he was unsuccessful at bat, and although he scored 91* runs in the second match, Australia lost by eight wickets.

He struggled against New Zealand as well, finishing the two-match series with just 51 runs. Following this, former Australia captain Tim Paine stated that since Smith has failed miserably thus far, any opposing side will have no trouble winning if he chooses to remain as an opener. Paine, however, is optimistic about Smith’s prospects of recovering quickly and has faith in his ability to handle the new ball. Smith is 34 years old.

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“I look at it, that if I was playing against Australia, where would I prefer Steve Smith to bat? If I’m the opposition, I want him opening the batting. I want my best bowlers at their freshest with a brand new ball. I was in that Ashes in 2019 and went to England with him in another one and when he was at his best batting at four you just felt he couldn’t get out,” Paine told ESPN’s Around The Wicket.

“I would love to see him succeed as an opener, I think he can, there’s no doubt about that, he’s good enough to bat anywhere, but as an opposition player I want him at the top of the order because that gives me the best chance of getting him out,” he added. 

Andrew McDonald, the head coach of Australia, supported Smith despite the latter’s dismal debut. He said that while Cameron Green has performed admirably for the club at number four, the administration of the squad is not considering moving him.

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