“If I’m the opposition, I want him opening the batting” – Tim Paine on Steve Smith

Former Australian skipper Tim Paine said he would be happy as an opposition if Steve Smith opens the innings in Test matches. Paine feels the opposition will have a good chance to dismiss Smith early with the new ball.

Smith recently opened the innings against New Zealand but could only return with 51 runs in two Test matches. Furthermore, Smith could only manage 92 runs in two Test matches against the West Indies while opening the innings. The talisman had shown his interest in batting at the top of the order after David Warner announced his retirement from the Test format.

Ergo, Smith hasn’t yet nailed the opening position but Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald has put his weight behind the right-hander.

“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 said on ESPN’s Around the wicket.

The former Australian wicket-keeper feels Smith is good enough to deliver at any batting position.

“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.

Paine predicted that Smith will be able to turn the tables as an opener and he will deliver big against India, later in the year.

“I don’t think anything changes. [Smith] is probably one of three or four players who has ever played for Australia who can probably do what he’s doing at the moment. He’s earned the right, in my opinion, to bat wherever he wants and if he wants, and is driven enough, to be Australia’s Test opener I think he’ll make it work and you’ll see him come out next summer and dominate.”

Smith has a solid technique and it won’t be a surprise if he succeeds as an opener in the red-ball format.