Steve Smith’s surprise switch to opener in the Australian Test team is all but locked in but the selectors could still keep fans and the West Indies guessing when they announce their squad on Wednesday.
The panel of selection chief George Bailey, Tony Dodemaide and coach Andrew McDonald are set to announce a squad of 14 for the two-match series against the Windies in Adelaide and Brisbane with Cameron Green a certainty to be in the line-up.
They may not announce who will open alongside Usman Khawaja despite Smith vaulting into favouritism after declaring last week he was keen on the surprising move from his customary spot at No.4.
With the 34-year-old replacing retired opener David Warner at the top of the order, the door would be open for Green to play his first Test for Australia since the fourth Ashes match in July, likely at Smith’s old spot with Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh remaining in their usual spots after him.
With Green coming in for Warner to the XI that won the Third Test in Sydney, Scott Boland and Lance Morris are likely to be included in the new squad as back-up fast bowlers while Marcus Harris could be selected as a spare batter because he is not playing in the BBL, unlike rival openers Matt Renshaw and Cameron Bancroft.
Marnus Labuschagne had been touted as a potential option to open but the first drop is adamant the likely selection shuffle “looks like the perfect scenario”.
Labuschagne, speaking in Brisbane ahead of playing for the Heat in Wednesday night’s BBL clash with the Perth Scorchers, said “if Steve does get the nod, I have no doubt that he will do a good job”.
“Cameron Green’s record at No.4 for Western Australia is amazing.
“Obviously that is not a direct correlation to Test cricket, but you can be pretty confident that over a period of time he is going to be a very good player in that position.
“(Smith) is excited for a new challenge. If that motivates him and gets the cricket world Steven Smith for another two or three years, I think that is a massive win.
Cameron Green plays a shot during the Sheffield Shield match at The Gabba. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
“It looks like the perfect scenario. When he was captain I know he liked a little more time between being in the field and going out there, but he is ready to get out there from the start now.”
He said the key to the potential batting-order change, aside from the class of both batters, was that both players desired it.
“I have no doubt that if Cam had to slot into the No.1 spot that he would be able to do that as well and that he would be able to bat wherever the team needs, but it seems in this case that Steve really wants that opportunity to bat at the top,” Labuschagne said.
“If they do end up going that way it looks like the perfect swap.”
He said Green had all the attributes to succeed at No.4 at Test level.
“He has got a really nice even temperament, a great ability to absorb pressure, is a very good decision-maker, has got a sound technique and a great defence,” Labuschagne said.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
“I think that is the versatility you need at No.4, someone that can play different scenarios and know when to push the button and when to hold back.
“We have seen him do well in the IPL, so we know he has got that (attacking) button.
“We have seen him playing in England (against) extensive periods of short ball bowling and managing that.”
He said that if Australia decided to open with Smith, it was not a slight on the efforts of regular red-ball openers Bancroft, Harris and Renshaw but that selectors wanted to get the best six batters in the country in the Test team.
“Cameron Green also averages 50-plus in Shield cricket, and there are not many guys doing that,” he said.
with AAP
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Look, if there's no one to replace Warner why not just ask him to carry on playing?
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
I was referring to Cam Green.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
I like head but Steve w was amazing at saving the teams hide and played off the back foot . much less aggressive than head who can be very reckless but also sublime on a roll . I can t compare them at all though tim . steve waugh was another level on so many levels and was one of our greatest captains. heads definitely in the right spot at test level outside of that strange Indian series last summer where runs were best made quick early . however head is hideous so far this summer . In England he’s been very mixed . Surely he will make a ton or two against windies at Adelaide and Brisbane where Australia plays best and so should he . if he doesn’t he’s in dire trouble after the Pakistan mess he made
Pierro
Roar Rookie
absolutely right chanon except in two years or less if foreign tours test the side I wouldn't rule out bancroft and renshaw getting a go ..khawaja in great form but he's older than smith in 24 months both openers could be retired so let's see how it unfolds up to India and England in next two summers
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Good bowler! In what universe? Bancroft's catchlng alone would be enough to have him in the side. Renshaw's Test century which I've read about ad nauseum was how long ago?
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
That's scary. I just agreed with you. Now to see whether that dastardly Cummins gives either of them a bowl before Labuschagne, Head or Renshaw
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
If this was a series vs England or India would they select Smith to open ? I don’t think so.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
''Person of Interest "with burnouses and a seraglio.
Barb Dwyer
Roar Rookie
Yep, he has taken responsibility but as mentioned, others don’t want to let him. He’s the one caught with his hand in the cookie jar; I imagine Warner and Smith because they served their time and were not fringe players made their way promptly back into the team . Bancroft wasn’t a certainty for selection and even more so after 9 months out. There may also be other reasons, good reasons why Bancroft may not be seen as the right fit, as there is with any player.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
He has taken responsibility, but it’s also quite clear it wasn’t a one man band. Just like Warner and Smith were given ample opportunity to redeem himself, so to should have Bancroft, who for some reason seems to be the fall guy when they are quite happy to let Smith and Warner both be forgiven. Clearly Bancroft’s recent shield record suggests he should be the one replacing Warner, and he should’ve done so 12 months ago - I just feel there is more to it than him simply not being selected, there has to be some kind of political aspect to this given Cummins is captain and Bancroft mentioned that the bowlers knew - he probably shouldn’t have said it publicly but where there is smoke, there is fire - why would he say that if there wasn’t at least an element of truth?
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Probably, but not definitely. Case in point - Usman Khawaja.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
How much you wanna bet on that ?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Even CA wouldn't be so uninformed about sport.
Barb Dwyer
Roar Rookie
But ‘the guys’ is speculation, as is McDonald being a figurehead. His reserved and calm manner which has brought excellent results, is a breath of fresh air. I have no problem with Bancroft, however many on here won’t seem to let him take responsibility for what he chose to do? He was 26 years of age and should have said ‘no’ which essentially he has admitted to. Him being out of the game has affected his chances; unfortunate but he made his choices.
WhoDis
Roar Rookie
I’ll admit it’s a decent average but when you include the strike rate of 39 it becomes less compelling.
Cam
Roar Rookie
Just personal choice for me, but I’d leave the top order as is and pick Renshaw to open. Green can have a run at Smith’s spot when he retires and Bancroft/Harris get Kwahaja’s opening gig when he pulls the pin. Both Smith and Khawaja probs only have 12 months left.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
In case Warner reneges
13th Man
Roar Rookie
McDonald isn’t the dictator mate - he’s a figurehead and a yes man, he doesn’t actually do anything. The guys that actually have say and dictate terms are the senior players, and they quite obviously do not like Bancroft.
Barb Dwyer
Roar Rookie
It's pretty clear that Justin Langer has a much greater propensity for dictatorial behaviour than Andrew McDonald. Johnson chose to be specifically personal and spiteful which he has also admitted to - and I am not a fan of Warner. Our sledging culture has all but disappeared thanks to a new culture. I'm glad the days of bullying by the likes of Hadyn, Warne, McGrath, Langer, Clarke (and many more) are now behind us.