Steve Smith relishing probability to open for Australia

Steve Smith mentioned Sunday he felt obligated to step up and exchange David Warner as Australia’s Test opener, but in addition admitted it suited him as a result of he bought bored ready to return in at 4.

The 34-year-old veteran was a shock decide to do the job forward of openers Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris and Matt Renshaw after Warner bowed out of Test cricket this month.

He will pad up in his new position for the primary time within the opening Test of a two-match collection in opposition to the West Indies in Adelaide, which begins on Wednesday.

“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 informed reporters.

“I’ve played for a long time and I’m an experienced player, and I think it’s something I should have done.”

The extremely rated Green has been sidelined just lately by a resurgent Mitchell Marsh, who has assumed the all-rounder position.

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Shifting Smith up the order, slightly than choosing a specialist opener, allowed selectors to convey Green again primarily as a batsman.

Smith revealed he had been mulling the thought way back to the Ashes in England final yr, however the prospect solely crystallised throughout the third Test in opposition to Pakistan in Sydney this month.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity of getting in and facing the new ball,” he mentioned.

“It’s something that isn’t really foreign to me. I’ve batted on numerous occasions where I’ve come in early doors and I batted at number three for quite a while.”

Former skipper Smith, who has performed 105 Tests and accrued 9,514 runs, additionally admitted that coming in early suited him as a result of “I don’t like waiting to bat”.

“I actually don’t like watching cricket that much, believe it or not,” he mentioned.

“I’d prefer to be out there batting. It gets a bit boring sitting there (with the pads on) but I don’t have to do that any more.”