(Cricket news) Steve Smith has put his hand up to replace David Warner as Auustralia’s next test opener post Warner’s retirement if the selectors need him. Speaking to ABC Grandstand after the 3rd day’s play, Smith confirmed that he was pretty keen to open in long-term.

Smith’s name had not been among the contenders to replace Warner as the debate has caught the attention across the Australian summer, with several contenders such as Cameron Green alongside Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft and Matt Renshaw.

The Australian selectors were planning to get Green into the side after Warner’s retirement with Andrew McDonald previously stating that there were various options, including Marnus Labuschagne to open from No. 3.

Given that he averages 61.46 with 19 Test centuries at No. 4 no one actually considered that Smith would be keen in the opener’s role. Smith has played at 4 for majority of his career and has also played at 3 and actually averages even better ,67.07 at No. 3 in Test cricket. With him being keen to open was a surprise to many cricketing gurus.

Although he averaged 42.22 with three centuries , Smith seems to be keen for a fresh challenge to reinvigorate himself for a better year this 2024. 2023, was his lowest calendar year average since 2014 with the exception of 2018 and 2020 when he played very few Tests due to his ban for the Sandpaper incident and Covid-19.

The selectors are set to take a decision on who will replace Warner at the end of the Sydney Test, before the Aussies gear up for a two match test series against West Indies.

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