IND vs AUS: Marnus Labuschagne reacts after Steve Smith says the Australian batsman hates him

Australia's Test No. 3 Marnus Labuschagne has backed the selectors' decision to move Steve Smith to bat at the No. 4 batting spot in the Test team. Labuschagne feels that Smith has had most of his success while batting at the No. 4 spot, which makes him incumbent for that role.

Steve Smith was promoted to open the batting in Tests after the retirement of David Warner. However, the legendary Australian batter struggled with the new red ball and registered a string of low scores. With the much important Border-Gavaskar Trophy nearing, Smith was moved back to his original spot.

Also read: Rohit Sharma questioned for Washington Sundar's inclusion in Pune Test from Australia

Marnus Labuschagne backs Steve Smith's move to No. 4 spot

According to AAP news agency, Marnus Labuschagne claimed that Steve Smith is Australia's best batter at No. 4 since Cameron Green is unavailable as well.

"One of the best players for Australia batting in the position he has had the most success in is a pretty simple fix," he said. "Cameron Green is unavailable for the summer. There is no one batting at No. 4 as we currently stand in our team. Why not have the person who has done it best for Australia batting in that position? It just makes sense," Labuschagne said.

He further backed his statement by reasoning about Smith's ability to play spin and read the match scenarios. Labushchagne claimed that Smith has the ability to bat through touch situations in the middle overs.

"I think it is his ability to read match scenarios and adapt his game to whatever the game needs. At No. 4 you have to be good at playing spin, work on when you need to push, when you need to hold, and when you need to get through a tough spell. That has always been his strength," Labuschagne reckoned.

"They hated me up top" - Steve Smith on batting above Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja

Meanwhile, Steve Smith himself joked that Labuschagne and Khawaja hated Smith batting above them which does not give them the security cover behind them.

"They hated me up top...so that was a big part of it. They call it security behind them - I don't know, ask them about it. Honestly, I'm not that fussed. They didn't like it at all...I can understand that," Smith said.

When asked if Marnus Labuschagne would himself move up the batting order to open the innings, he was ready at any spot but expressed his desire to remain at No. 3.

"I will bat wherever they tell me to bat. Currently, I would say that how I have played at No. 3 has been relatively successful. Hopefully, it should be more successful, but that's where I have batted" he said.

Australia looking for a Test opener

Australia's selection panel, led by the former captain George Bailey, is still looking for an opener to partner Usman Khawaja at the top. The middle order looks settled but one opening spot is still up for grabs.

Sam Konstas, Cameron Bancroft, and Marcus Harris are some of the names who can get a chance at the opening spot in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. All these players will feature in the unofficial red-ball series between Australia A and India A.