Published: Oct 14, 2024, 01:14 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 14, 2024, 01:14 PM (IST)
Australian batter Steve Smith is set to return to his favoured number four position after a short stint as an opener in the upcoming Test series against India, national selector George Bailey confirmed on Monday.
After opener David Warner’s retirement earlier this year, Smith had willingly decided to bat in his position. However, the batter struggled to score as an opening batter, managing a total of just 51 runs in 4 innings against New Zealand.
Bailey confirmed that captain Pat Cummins and head coach Andrew McDonald have decided to bring back Smith to his preferred slot.
“Pat (Cummins), Andrew (McDonald)and Steve Smith had been having ongoing conversations, separate to the untimely injury to Cameron (Green),” Bailey was quoted as saying by ‘cricket.com.au’.
“Steve had expressed a desire to move back down from that opening position, and Pat and Andrew have confirmed that he will be dropping back down the order for the summer,” Bailey added.
The much-awaited Border-Gavaskar series is set to commence from November 22 with the first Test to be held in Perth.
