Australian captain Michael Clarke says Steve Smith is a rising star but he’s not a Test No.3 just yet.
“It’s a fantasy right now,” Clarke said on Wednesday.
Smith hit 101, 12 and 77 at No.3 in the one-day series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates earlier this month and looked composed in scoring 22 and 55 in last week’s first Test in Dubai.
The No.5 batsman has spoken of his willingness to accept the challenge at No.3 and the issue has been speculated upon at Test level following Alex Doolan’s double failure in Dubai.
However Clarke says if selectors go with an unchanged side, he’s likely to leave the batting order as it was for Thursday’s second Test in Abu Dhabi.
And that means 25-year-old Smith, who has scored four hundreds in 21 Tests including three in nine matches in the past 12 months, is going to have to wait until the time is right.
“In the future I think Smithy can definitely go higher up the order,” Clarke said.
“He’s just just starting his Test career though. He’s playing really well but we’ve also got to give him plenty of time.
“In this game you’re going to ride the roller-coaster, the highs and lows.
“At the moment he’s playing really well so he should be enjoying that.
“He’s a hard worker which I really like.
“I’ve always had a lot of faith in Smithy.
“But we’ve got to be patient with him. He’s learning every day.
“His game’s certainly improving.
“Right now I think he’s batting really well at No.5 and that’s a good thing for the team.
“If there’s changes to the eleven, then I’ll have to assess that.
“But I can’t see that happening, no, in this Test match.”
Smith said on Tuesday he was “absolutely” ready for batting at No.3 if required.
“I’m just enjoying my cricket at the moment and hopefully spending a lot of time out in the middle again in the next Test, whether it’s three, four, five or six,” he said.
ChrisT
Guest
I know Gareth, I know. Heresy.
Vish
Guest
Clarke and Smith are both very susceptible against the moving ball. They both drive on the up. Warner is in gud form and he ll continue opening. Rogers s complementing him well and his improved his spin play. If he is out Silk should replace him if he has good patience. Khawaja should come in at 3. And he ll do wonders if he is given a confident run. Clarke and Smith at 4 n 5. Watson has had enough wid tests. Mitch Marsh looks suited more for tests. His medium pace doesn't have the variation for ODI. Paine or Hartley should replace Blind Haddin. He cant catch a ball. One off day he catches a screamer down the leg side and ten days he misses regulation stumpings n catches. Its time for the Aussie selectors tat they have enough leadership attitude in Smith Clarke and Warner.The Ashes was a fluke. Haddin is just a joke Mitch Marsh at 6. Johnson can play tests for a couple of years. then we hav to blood someone new. Behrendorf is good . Please send Starc to have some sessions with Akram. This guy s bowling full tosses around off stump. Looks like a net bowler n tests. Chadd Sayers should hav been there in Dubai. But atleast try him for India. We underestimating India. B kumar Umesh Yadav and Shami ll give our batters a tough time. Get in Gurinder Sandhu in ODI s.
Lancey5times
Roar Rookie
Love it Adam
Gareth Kidd
Roar Guru
Absolute garbage. To insinuate Clarke is not a team player and in it for the averages shows a deep lack of understanding the mentality and challenges of the side.
ChrisT
Guest
Rubbish. I'm Australian, not going to go into it further.
Sideline Comm.
Guest
Rubbish. A bit of Aussie baiting that, not going to go into it further.
Adam Friend
Guest
Clarke, Warner, and Smith need to get together in a room and be like, "right boys, we're the only legit dudes in the team. One of us has gotta bat at three. shotty not"
ChrisT
Guest
Number 3 has been a problem for a while. Clarke should have shown real leadership and grasped this nettle long ago, worked his way into the spot instead of constantly retreating down the order and working on his averages and getting himself proclaimed best in the world in the process. Heresy.