Steve Smith said on Sunday that he felt forced to replace David Warner as Australia’s Test opener, but that it also suited him since he became bored waiting to come in at four.
After Warner announced his retirement from Test cricket earlier this month, the 34-year-old veteran was a surprising choice ahead of openers Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris, and Matt Renshaw.
He will make his debut in his new capacity in the first Test of a two-match series against the West Indies, which begins on Wednesday in Adelaide.
“They (selectors) were obviously very keen to get Cameron (Green) in the side as well and play our best six batters, and for me it didn’t sit right to have him come in and bat up top,” he was quoted as saying.
“I’ve played for a long time and I’m an experienced player, and I think it’s something I should have done.”
The highly regarded Green has lately been replaced as an all-rounder by a resurgent Mitchell Marsh.
By moving Smith up the order rather than going with a specialized opener, selectors were able to bring Green back solely as a batter.
Smith stated that he had been considering it since the Ashes in England last year, but it only became a reality during the third Test against Pakistan in Sydney this month.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity of getting in and facing the new ball,” he told reporters.
“It’s not something I’m unfamiliar with.” I’ve batted on countless occasions when I came in early and batted at number three for a long time.”
Former captain Smith, who has scored 9,514 runs in 105 Tests, also confessed that going in early suited him since “I don’t like waiting to bat.”
“I actually don’t like watching cricket that much, believe it or not,” he told me.
“I’d rather be out there batting.” It’s a little tedious sitting there (with the pads on), but I don’t have to do it anymore.”