IND vs AUS: Tim Paine boldly claims Steve Smith's Test career is over, but there's a catch
Published - 13 Sep 2024, 05:01 PM | Updated - 13 Sep 2024, 11:42 PM
Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine believes ace batter Steve Smith's Test career is over as an opening batsman of the team. Tim Paine expressed uncertainty about who might take the opener's position for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series 2024-25 against India at home.
Smith was promoted to the opening position after David Warner's retirement. However, this change has faced mixed reactions from former cricketers.
Smith has been inconsistent with the bat as an opener. Australia will have to decide his role before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The 35-year-old batter has scored just 171 runs in eight innings at an average of 28.5. The right-handed batter has hit just one half-century as an opener in Test cricket.
It’s worth noting that Smith has an impressive average of 61.51 at his trademark No. 4 spot, including 19 centuries and 26 fifties.
Wouldn't Have Him There In The First Place - Tim Paine
In a recent interaction on SEN, Tim Paine criticized the decision to have Steve Smith as an opener in Test cricket. Paine said that the current top six batters are likely to remain in place, adding that the new opener will come from this group.
"I wouldn't have had him there in the first place. What it tells me is that if that conversation is being had, they are looking to change," Paine said.
"What it also told me is that they think their best six batters of those guys are played in New Zealand. So they want to keep that as their top six. If Steve isn't to open, it means the opener is coming from elsewhere in that top six. So where you want to go with that, I'm not so sure," he added.
Steve Smith Himself Has Changed A Little Bit - Tim Paine
Tim Paine believes Steve Smith will return to the middle order, suggesting that his stint as a Test opener is likely over.
Paine noted that Smith was initially eager to open the batting for Australia. However, Smith has recently shown a willingness to bat wherever the team needs him, according to Paine.
"I think the commentary even from Steve himself has changed a little bit. If you remember before going into the Pakistan and West Indies series, he was very, very clear and open on the fact that he wanted to open the batting," Paine further added.
"He wanted a new challenge in his career, and he thought that was at the top of the order. Last month or so, I think his commentary has changed.
"He's now saying he'll bat where the team want him to bat. So I fully expect that Steve Smith will be moving back down the order."
If Steve Smith bats at No. 4, Australia may need to drop one of their current top six batters to accommodate an opening batsman.
The team management might opt for another makeshift opener if they stick with the current lineup. Several former players, including Paine, have suggested Travis Head for this role.
