‘Opening with Steve Smith a mistake’: Michael Clarke before BGT 2024

Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke admitted that opening with Steve Smith was a mistake and wants Australia to back a specialist opener in the Border-Gavaskar trophy against India. Smith has scored 171 runs in four Test matches at an average of 28.50 while playing against the West Indies and New Zealand.

Meanwhile, Smith has a fantastic record while batting at number four, scoring 5966 runs in 67 Test matches with an impressive average of 61.50, including 19 centuries.

Australian skipper Pat Cummins has confirmed that Smith will bat at his usual number four position. Meanwhile, players like Cameron Bancroft, Sam Konstas, Marcus Harris, and Josh Inglis could open the innings against India.

“We made a mistake in getting Steve Smith to open the batting in Test cricket, so let’s not make the same mistake. Let’s pick a specialist opener, whoever is best equipped. How can you justify Josh Inglis is a better person to open the batting in a Test match against this Indian attack than a specialist opener?”

“He scored Shield runs, yes, but he bats in the middle order. It’s not just about who’s making runs right here, right now. That is not how you select an Australian cricket team,” stated a no-nonsense Clarke on Sky Sports Radio.

Clarke added that Australia must not over-emphasize on recent form and they should see an opener’s ability to play in tough conditions.

“The problem they have at the moment is the top three contenders who are specialist opening batters are not making runs in Shield cricket. Who gives a shit? It’s been two Shield rounds on wickets that are seaming – who cares? It can’t just be about making runs in the two Shield games.”

The 2015 ODI World Cup-winning captain backed Cameron Bancroft to take the opening slot along with Usman Khawaja.

“I would probably go with Cameron Bancroft because he’s been the leading run scorer for the last two years in Shield cricket. I care about Shield cricket. I think he’s earned the right to be selected based on runs.”

The opening Test match between India and Australia will be played at Perth from November 22 onwards.