Steve Smith confirmed as Australia’s new Test opener

Australia’s rock at one drop, Steve Smith has been officially confirmed as the new Test opener by George Bailey, the chairman of selectors. Even though the selection panel picked Matt Renshaw to replace the outgoing David Warner in the Test squad to face West Indies, Smith gets the nod to bat up top.

Smith’s promotion has been greenlighted in spite of captain Pat Cummins’ apprehensions. He’d stated that he is happy with the star batter’s contributions at No.4 as Smith was being considered as a left-field option for the opener’s spot following David Warner’s retirement.

Even though Cummins had downplayed the idea, Smith himself had recently expressed the desire to open the innings, with teammate Marnus Labuschagne and former captain Michael Clarke lending their support to the suggestion.

Squad for first Test: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc