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 'I Think He's Probably...': Former Opener David Warner Backs Steve Smith To Excel In Opening

image-lr8onzluSteve Smith will open for Australia in first Test against West Indies [X.com]

With opener David Warner bidding adieu to Test cricket, Australia's search for a new opening partner for Usman Khawaja for upcoming Tests against West Indies has ended with Steve Smith.

Smith, who expressed keenness to open the batting, has now received backing from Warner, who the latter believes is the best Test batter in the world. Cricket Australia (CA) Smith has been preferred over specialists openers like Cameron Bancroft, and Peter Handscomb, while Matthew Renshaw has been included in the thirteen as a reserve batter. 

Speaking on Club Prairie Fire Podcast, the 37-year-old stated how the former Test captain will take up opening as a challenge and look to excel.

“I think he'd go well. I think he's probably the best Test batter in the world. He just finds the way. I think for Steve, it's probably the challenge of it, which I think he probably wants to get into. He's ticked the box off where he is now. He probably wants to see if he can go out and open, and I think the thing fo him is that he gets to face every ball, that's possible. So, he's put his hand up for one-day stuff, T20s, and he's quite clearly a very smart cricket player. So, he'll adapt to any situation and he'll do very well."

Interestingly, Smith has opened in T20Is, while has never batted above the No.3 position in Tests and ODIs. As a middle-order batter, Smith has amassed 9,514 runs in 105 Tests, slamming 32 centuries, and 40 fifties, having batted in positions from No.3 to No.9.

Smith will open against West Indies in the first of the two Tests, which starts January 17 at Adelaide.