IND vs AUS: Steve Smith to open in BGT 2024-25? Australia coach reveals

Australia National Cricket Team head coach Andrew McDonald talked about Steve Smith's future as the Test opener ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024. He admitted that talks are underway and they will be unveiling the decision soon.

The exit of David Warner from Test cricket saw a massive change in the Australia Test setup. Steve Smith was promoted up the order and since then he has been opening the innings for the team in the longest format of the game and has played some decent hands for the team.

Steve Smith opening the batting has allowed Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh to be slotted in the XI. But it has also seen the team struggling a bit. Smith according to the standards set by him has not performed too well. He has slammed just one half-century and has struggled to convert his starts in the other games.

Australia will now have to make a massive decision before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The five-match Test series between the teams will be played in November-December and January and it remains be to seen if Steve Smith will continue opening the batting for the team or not.

Head coach Andrew McDonald mentioned that they haven't made any decision yet but they are having conversations related to the same. He said that after making the decision they will be conveying it to the NSW coach so that the batter can perform the same role. Speaking to SEN, he explained:

“That's the question on everyone's lips, isn't it? Whilst we've got an eye on it, we haven't made any firm decisions around that one. There’s plenty of speculation around that. But in the background, I'd be lying if I said the conversation wasn't happening. There are conversations around a lot of what ifs in terms of that Test summer that is to come,"

"We'll unveil everything, and we'll let (NSW coach) Greg Shipperd know what our plans are and then we'll see what he does with his New South Wales side should Steve Smith play Shield cricket,"

Patty Cummins as the captain is a big part of that - Andrew McDonald on the decision related to Steve Smith opening

Andrew McDonald further said that the decision related to Smith opening in Tests will depend on Pat Cummins. He also said that if the batter goes back to middle order then someone else will have to go to the top. He added:

“What am I willing to share? Not a lot at this stage. All I can say is the conversation's happening. Clearly, Patty Cummins as the captain is a big part of that, he’s rehabbing at the moment, he’s not over here (in the UK),"

"We've already had some chats in Sydney initially around what we're thinking for the summer, and that goes right down to depth bowling and what it looks like, all those hypotheticals and what ifs that we always go through. Clearly, if we make a shift with Steve Smith, then someone else will have to go to the top," he concluded.