Unsure of batting order this summer, opener Khawaja wants to see Steve Smith back to number four in Tests

Australia Test opener Usman Khawaja likes batting with veteran batter Steve Smith but prefers to see him come in at number four in Tests, where he averages over 60. Since David Warner announced his retirement, the team management sought his replacement options, with several players, including Cameron Bancroft and Matthew Renshaw, discussed. However, Smith raised his hands, volunteering to open in Tests.

Meanwhile, Cameron Green’s name also came up as an option to open alongside Khawaja, but Smith eventually won the race.

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“I don’t like waiting to bat, so I thought, why don’t I put my hand up and have a crack-up top? That way, you can get Cameron Green in, and you’re playing your best six batters,” Smith said while speaking with Fox Cricket earlier this year.

Now, with Australia approaching another home summer, considering India is touring this time for five Tests, they would want to have their best players playing at their favourite positions, and Khawaja feels for the hosts to make the most of this chance, Smith must bat at number four and not at the top.

“I’m not sure what the top six is going to be this summer. I’ve always loved Steve Smith batting at No. 4; I haven’t shied away from that. I know Steve Smith can score runs at one, two, three, four, five, or six, but the man averages 60 at four, so my preference has always been Smudge (Steve Smith) at four,” Khawaja said speaking on Fox Cricket.

“I love seeing him come in at No. 4 … you get two wickets, and who do you get walking in? The best batsman in the world. When you put him up to open, I feel like you’re kind of giving them a chance to get at him early,” the left-handed batter added.

Smith must return to number four

Following the Pakistan Tests last year – David Warner’s farewell series in whites, Smith opened with Khawaja against West Indies for the first time. Though he scored a gritty 91 in the second innings of the Adelaide Test, Smith struggled in the remaining three innings.

“Some challenging conditions with the new ball, in particular. So, I would have liked to score a few more runs,” Smith said in a recent chat with Code Sport.

“That’s the game sometimes, but I played pretty well in the second innings at the Gabba where we couldn’t get over the line, unfortunately. It’s just a position to me, so it doesn’t really faze me too much,” Smith continued.

In total, Smith has scored 171 runs in eight innings at the top, averaging 28.50, but at number, he has scored nearly 6000 Test runs, at a whopping average of 61.50.

(With inputs from agencies)