‘We’ll consider all options’: Andrew McDonald on Steve Smith’s keenness to open after David Warner era

The post-David Warner era generally is a powerful time for Australia with the legendary opener’s footwear being very laborious to fill. Warner, who hung his boots from Test cricket, is Australia’s highest run-getter on the opening slot. With Aussies pondering of a brand new associate for Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith‘s keenness to open if wanted appears to have thrown the load behind him, particularly with the success he has had within the format.

During Warner’s Farwell Test, Smith just lately claimed that he’s pleased to open the innings after Warner. “I’m actually happy to go up the top. I’m pretty keen if that’s what they want to do. I’m sure the selectors and Ron [Andrew McDonald] and Patty [Cummins] will have a chat after this game but yeah, I’m certainly interested for sure,” Smith mentioned in the course of the Sydney Test in opposition to Pakistan. 

Notably, Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald has given his say on Smith’s keenness. “(Steve) had some strong thoughts, he’s made those public. So we’ll consider all options. It’s nice to have him putting his hand up. I think there were a few others that weren’t putting their hand up. But Steve at No.3 or No.4 is pretty appetising also. You’ve got to make sure you’re not removing the strengths of the team in the search to fill a gap also. So there’s a balance within that,” McDonald mentioned in a video posted by cricket.com.au.

Pat Cummins proud of Smith at No.4

Notably, skipper Pat Cummins is proud of Steve Smith staying in his authentic batting place of No.4 and never to tweak with the middle-order mixture. “I’m pretty happy with (Smith’s) output at No. 4. Obviously Marnus (Labuschagne), Smudge (Smith), Trav (Head) and (Mitchell) Marsh have been pretty impressive at Nos. 3, 4, 5 and 6. So first instinct isn’t probably to disrupt that,” Cummins mentioned.

Australia may need to discover the reply shortly as they’ve an upcoming Test sequence in opposition to West Indies beginning on January 17. They have one steady possibility in Usman Khawaja however the different one stays unsolved.