'Nothing new or foreign': Smith backs himself to succeed as opener - 'I like facing the newer ball'

On face value it is laughable, Smith being a genuine “generational” batsman, best since Bradman etc. But scratch a bit deeper and there is a scenario where Smith takes the tap on the shoulder. Say for example we get 12 months down the road and the soon to be 36yr old Smith has found the transition to opening a poor fit for his age, form, motivation and skill-set. Lets say he is averaging below 30, but on the other side of the coin, Green has flourished and proved the selectors right, with an average beyond 50. Smith has done everything, has a young family, a tremendously successful business that requires more and more of Smith’s time. Does CA drop Green and shift Smith back to 4, just so he can have the Dave Warner treatment of dictating a retirement date well beyond his current merits? Or does Steve take the tap on the shoulder and end his career on (mostly) his terms?

Smith refers to his vintage 2019 performances. It was extraordinary what he did. However 4-5 years on he is NOT that player. It’s his mind playing tricks on him. His decline is a function of his ageing and slowing reflexes. This is not going to change but get worse. However, if there is a player who can adjust it’s probably him. I see it as short term solution, shorter than what he is hoping for.

Hahahaha forcibly retire Smith? You're kidding right?

Smith will perform as opener. Uzzie if that’s correct didn’t like the idea is a sticky point. Time will tell if they gel or maybe Smith deliberately runs him out could stir the pot, intriguing!

On paper though, nobody might be held responsible. The selectors and coach could give it away any time they like, leaving it to someone else to sort out the mess that's left. Kinda like what Alan Joyce did at QANTAS.

It's going to be a bit of a head-scratcher for those boys if they discover their best 6 batters are neither the best 6 and nor selected in their best batting positions.

Maybe. But I also reckon Renshaw, Bancroft or Harris could hit around those numbers and with their ages, potentially do it for much longer than Smith. Which raises the question, if Steve Smith is going to average significantly less at the top of the order, and Green is extremely unlikely to match Smith's 58 average, than why the change? The math don't add up.

He does not have to average 58 for this to be a success in my opinion. Obviously the more runs the better but if he can average 40+ against NZ and India, and maybe over 45 overall that would at least get a pass from me.

The ratings are weighted for recency. You can doubt all you want, the most recent ones were published several days ago and there he is, black and white, number 3.

Your plan make very good sense, but I'm not sure whether they'd work. That's not because they're not good ideas, they are, but because George, Andrew & Pattie are so fixed on keeping their best 6 batsmen in Australian cricket together.

Plan B is to move Smith back to 4, Renshaw to opens and Cam Green goes back to carrying the drinks. This will work OK if Green is also underperforming. On the off-chance Green makes the most of his opportunity, Plan C would be to forcibly retire Smith. Don’t discount Plan C. George Bailey has been very open in his opinion of Green being a generational player and future test captain.

And over the 12 or 18 month period the cricket ratings cover, he certainly deserves to be at number 3, but in the past 6 months, including the Ashes and Pakistan series, his batting has been poor by his very high standards. I doubt during that time, he be rated the number 3 in the Aussie lineup, let alone across all Test nations

I've always believed opening and batting at 3 are significantly different, even if the first drop is coming in early. I asked a couple of handy top order bats through the week and they reckon it is a mentally tougher job to open. One of the blokes said the anxiety of being out first ball of the match would drain him of energy leading up to the game. My son also plays at a decent rep level, bats at 3 and will occasionally find himself in the middle first over. He said the nervous energy he feels when opening isn't there when he bats at 3. Smith is a generational batsman and is well placed to move up the order. But don't underestimate how tough it will be, especially with his age and current below-average form. As an opener, I'm tipping he won't get anywhere near his average of 58.

Steady on, he’s still the world’s number 3 ranked batsman, and higher than any other Australian.

Steve Smith in the 2019 Ashes against a top-notch attack in tough English conditions - ave 110. The same guy against a depleted Pakistan attack in Aussie conditions - ave 38.8. I hope he makes a go of it, but am far from certain he will.

Smith's ego and desire to do well, won't allow him to fail, but his age, slowing reflexes and drop in form might. And if it does what then? Selectors have talked up the move as a positive and I hope for Australia's sake it is, but I've no idea what Plan B will be if he fails? And how long does he get to prove this experiment is a success or failure? Till Smith says he doesn't want to do it any more or will selectors actually make a call to replace him?

Look at the Ashes from 4.5 years ago for proof Smithy can do it... But not last night's BBL game :laughing:

I can see Smith being a fantastic opener and like Finch suggests it will rejuvenate his batting. Bancroft has to many weaknesses IMO so this selection move will make Australia’s Top order significantly stronger. When Khawaja’s form drops I suspect Renshaw or another fresh face player will be ready to take the opportunity.