Debate around who should replace David Warner at the top of Australia’s Test order has hit fever pitch with a squad announcement for the first match against the West Indies expected on Wednesday.
All eyes are on whether selectors will promote a specialist opener from the Sheffield Shield, or whether attempts will be made to reinvent either No.4 superstar Steve Smith, or golden boy all-rounder Cameron Green, as an opener.
In a column for News Corp ahead of the announcement, senior cricket reporter Robert “Crash” Craddock gave a strong endorsement for Green to return to the XI either way.
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“It’s simply that if Cameron Green is not in the Test side somewhere for the series against the West Indies, Australia has failed the present and the future,” he wrote.
“When the youngest player in your team is 29-years-old you simply cannot feel comfortable putting another 30-something player in the team.
“Not focusing on the future is one thing. Brazenly ignoring it is another.”
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Former Australian selector Merv Hughes has taken aim at a push for Steve Smith to move up the batting order, declaring the veteran star is “not an opener”.
The race to replace David Warner, who retired at the conclusion of the Pakistan Test series, appeared to be down to four names; Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft, Matthew Renshaw and Cameron Green.
But a late push for Smith to open has gained momentum, fuelled by confirmation by the 34-year-old that he would be interested in making the switch.
The team to face the West Indies in a two-Test series commencing next week is set to be finalised on Tuesday night with the Sydney Morning Herald reporting Smith and Green are the frontrunners.
Hughes, however, said Warner’s retirement was the perfect opportunity to bring in a younger face.
“I don’t really like it. He’s probably good enough to do it but he’s not an opening bat,” ” Hughes told the Daily Telegraph
“It’s the same thing with Cameron Green and Mitch Marsh going up. Sure they do it in the white-ball stuff but Test cricket is very different.
“You have Usman Khawaja at the top, they have the opportunity to blood someone younger if they wanted.”
Fellow Australian great Mitchell Johnson, meanwhile, said picking Smith would send the wrong message to Test hopefuls.
“Selectors have long known about Warner’s nominated retirement date and should have had a plan in place.” he wrote in the West Australian.
“What have they been saying to State cricketers around selection – play in your position and score runs?
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“Cricket is all about being adaptable but it’s also a game where you need to be confident in your role – whether that’s at number three or four or as an opener.
“Cameron Bancroft, Matt Renshaw and Marcus Harris have been asked to go and score runs at first-class level. What more can Bancroft have done to get another opportunity than be the Sheffield Shield’s leading run-scorer last season and again this season?
“Either Bancroft or Renshaw deserve to open the batting with Usman Khawaja in the first Test against the West Indies later this month.”
Michael Clarker, a former Test captain and teammate of Smith, however, had no doubt he would excel in the new role.
“He will be the number one Test opener in 12 months,” Clarke said on the Around The Wicket podcast.
“Don’t be surprised if he breaks Brian Lara’s 400 record because he’s that good, and now he’s got the whole day or two days to bat.”
That support was echoed by former Australian Test opener Mark Taylor.
“I don’t mind that at all because to me it says Steve Smith wants to do what’s best for the team, which I think is terrific,” Taylor told Wide World of Sports radio.
“I thought maybe (Marnus) Labuschagne moves up and Smith bats at three and Green comes in at four.
“But if Smith wants to move up and Labuschagne doesn’t, I don’t have a problem with that.“If that’s what’s best for Australian cricket, I think it’s a good move.”
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