Steve Smith's promotion as Test opener leaves former Australia captain 'nearly vomited'

Steve Smith’s promotion as Test opener leaves former Australia captain ‘nearly vomited’

NEW DELHI: Steve Smith is all set to begin his new innings when he opens the batting for the first in his 13-year long Test career in the first Test against West Indies in Adelaide on Wednesday.

The decision to elevate Smith to the top of the batting order drew mixed reaction from all quarters with former Australian skipper Kim Hughes expressing profound surprise over the move.

Hughes opined that Cameron Bancroft will be the appropriate replacement of recently-retired David Warner.

“I nearly vomited. I’ve got no doubts in my mind that if Cameron Bancroft played for New South Wales, he’d be in the Test side. He is in his prime,” he told WA Sports.

“Touch this, do this, do that [imitates Smith]… never want to leave when I am given out. He’s like a petulant kid. Smith is struggling at the moment. He’s been an absolute superstar, but as an opener, he is no more opener than me opening the bowling. He needs to stay at No.4, get his mojo back if you like, without all the fluff,” Hughes said.

“I think the other, and a very important thing is, you must reward those that are performing well, and our Sheffield Shield competition – yes it is not as strong as it used to be when he had our Test players playing in it – it is still the competition from which you can have a look and see who is playing well. I just think get Bancroft in there, it also sends a message to the Shield players that if you perform, you’ll get picked. You may as well go and play marbles – it would be just shattering.”

Smith said that his team did not take him seriously when he told them that he wanted to move to the top of the batting order after Warner’s retirement.

“In Perth I said ‘after Davey’s done I’m actually keen to get up there’ and I don’t think they (selectors) took me seriously until I got to Sydney (for the pink Test against Pakistan) and said ‘you know I’m actually being genuine here’,” he said.

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