ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Steve Smith told to do Babar Azam-style experiment with his batting position

Legendary Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist has urged stand-in skipper Steve Smith to take on a new role during the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The former wicketkeeper-batter said that Smith should open the batting in ODIs, adding that this adjustment could strengthen Australia’s top order.

Australia, the reigning ODI World Cup champions, have won just two of their last eight matches. A major concern has been their opening pair, which has failed to register a partnership of more than 21 runs in the last five games. The inconsistency at the top has put added pressure on the middle-order batters.

Maybe Steve Smith Needs to Open Up There - Adam Gilchrist

Speaking after Australia’s 2-0 series loss to Sri Lanka, Adam Gilchrist said that Steve Smith should be considered as an opener in Australia’s ODI setup. However, Gilchrist stated that Head is a guaranteed pick, and pairing him with Short could create a solid left-right combination.

“It’s a challenging one at the moment – maybe Steve Smith needs to open up there,” he said on ABC Radio.

“Obviously Travis is going to be there whenever he’s fit and fresh and they are picking whatever is their best team. I like Matt Short being in there – that would be a nice combination left hand-right hand. That would be the preferable way for me to go," he added.

"But I do think Steve Smith could open – we’ve seen him do it in T20 cricket really well. Maybe he’s too valuable in that middle order. I can’t see a reason why you wouldn’t want him facing as many balls as possible in a 50-over game – it would be a very viable option to get him up there.”

Steve Smith Is No Stranger to Opening

Steve Smith has experience opening in the shorter format, batting at the top for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League. His stint as a Test opener was brief as he didn't want to continue in the role. Smith, while batting in the middle order, recorded scores of 12 and 29 in the two matches in Sri Lanka.

Australia will head into the Champions Trophy 2025 without their pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins. All-rounders Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh are also ruled out of the tournament due to injuries. The team are set to face England, Afghanistan, and South Africa in the group stage.

I Guess There's Been Limited Preparation - Adam Gilchrist

Adam Gilchrist said that Australia might struggle in the Champions Trophy due to their lack of preparation in the 50-over format. He pointed out that the team had an impressive summer, but they haven't played enough ODIs leading up to the tournament, which could put Australia at a disadvantage.

“I guess there's been limited preparation with regards to this format. The Australian team were outstanding in the huge summer – both men's and women's. But a lot of nations will focus on 50-over cricket when it's a World Cup year certainly in terms of volume of the games and who's actually playing it.”

Also read: IPL 2025: Chennai veteran reveals why Virat Kohli didn't become RCB captain