Steve Smith opines about being ‘comfortable’ as an opener for Australia in Tests

Smith carried his rhythm for 91 at the Gabba as West Indies pulled off a historic victory. He will now captain the ODI squad.

Steven Smith had the ideal retort to critics who claimed he shouldn’t start for Australia in Tests.

After a shaky first three innings as David Warner’s replacement in the top order, the 34-year-old nearly got Australia over the line to avert a dramatic eight-run defeat at the Gabba.

Smith, who has struck 27 of his 32 Test hundreds at No.3 or No.4, says he did not overthink his approach to opening.

After scores of 12, 11 not out and six, the star batter belted an unbeaten 91 in Australia’s second innings on Sunday and feels “comfortable” as an opener.

“There was a lot of commentary around I’d failed in two or three innings – I had a not out and two low scores,” Smith said at the MCG on Wednesday. “Now I’m averaging 60 as an opener.

“It was just another position; I’ve battled against the new ball numerous times, coming in early. I’ve enjoyed the first couple of weeks of it…if they see fit to move me back down, I’ll do whatever the team needs.”

Smith, the first Australian to carry his bat since Warner in 2011, was the lone player to face West Indies’ newest pace phenom Shamar Joseph. The 24-year-old ripped through Australia, taking 7 for 68 to lead the tourists to their first Test victory down under since 1997.

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Adding to the legendary list, Joseph bowled in the second innings of his second Test with a terrible toe injury, forcing him to return to the Caribbean and miss Warner’s ILT20 with the Dubai Capitals.

“I overheard a conversation, I think we were seven down just before lunch and I overheard him speaking to [West Indies captain] Kraigg [Brathwaite]… he’s [Joseph] like, ‘I’m bowling to the end, man’,” Smith said.

“He’s a rare talent and I think it’s great for cricket what he was able to do and see the West Indies competing like they did. He just kept coming in, and actually probably bowled faster at the end rather than the start.”

Smith also justified his choice to give No.11 Josh Hazlewood two balls against Joseph in what turned out to be the match’s final over.

Hazlewood was Joseph’s final victim, igniting loud and jubilant West Indies celebrations as they pulled off probably the greatest Test upset in history.

“I’ve thought about it, whether we could do different things,” Smith admitted. “Maybe I could have taken five balls against Shamar; he was on fire obviously. But then I run the risk of not getting a run off the last ball and ‘Hoff’ [Hazlewood] having to take all six from Alzarri.”

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Smith will lead Australia in the three-match ODI series which starts at the MCG on Friday.

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