Xtra Time Web Desk: Cricket Australia’s National Selection Committee has named Steve Smith as the replacement for David Warner at the top of the order, opting not to select a specialist opener for the upcoming two-Test series against West Indies. The 13-man squad was announced on Wednesday ahead of the first Test against West Indies starting at Adelaide Oval from January 17.
“Steve Smith will be opening the batting and Cameron Green will be coming into the No 4 position which is fantastic,” said selection committee chairman George Bailey.
Despite reservations from captain Pat Cummins about disrupting the batting order by moving Smith to opener to accommodate Green at No. 4, selectors have decided it’s the best way forward. They believe this change could motivate Smith and potentially extend his Test cricket career.
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Green makes a comeback after being sidelined during last year’s Ashes, where Mitchell Marsh filled in for him at Headingley and scored a century. The inclusion of Green is the only change to the XI that secured a 3-0 victory against Pakistan at the beginning of the Test summer.
Australia squad for West Indies Test series: Pat Cummins (capt), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Matt Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc.
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