Should Steve Smith start the Test Matches Against India? Andrew McDonald, Coach of Australia, Reacts

The Australian coach Andrew McDonald made a suggestion that Steve Smith, who is a prolific hitter, would stay in his position as opener until the home series against India later this year, despite criticism for his halting performances.

Between November of this year and January of 2025, India will go to Australia to defend the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which they won in both 2018–19 and 2020–21.

They anticipate difficulties from India, and I believe this will serve as an internal source of motivation for him. He approached us about the opportunity and we believe he can make it work. He wants to open,” McDonald told cricket.com.au.

Following David Warner’s retirement from Test cricket following the home rubber against Pakistan, Smith was promoted to the lead role in the series against the West Indies in January of this year.

His raw stats, however, have stayed low after that move up the rankings.

The 34-year-old made scores of 12, 11, 6, 31, 0, 11, and 9 in the remaining innings but could only muster one fifty, an undefeated 91 against the Windies in Brisbane.

McDonald, however, did not interpret the statistics too broadly.

It’s a new challenge for him and a new role, but he can overcome it.

Would you consider it fair or unjust to bring in a new opener, give them four Test matches, and then decide to change that after four Test matches? That’s rather unjust, in my opinion,” the South Australian stated.

The former Australian all-rounder said that any player wishing to alter the present lineup must make extra efforts.

“That doesn’t mean there won’t be adjustments, but right now we’re winning two to nil here (against New Zealand) and we’ve won eight of the last twelve Test matches, with four of those matches being played away (in England and New Zealand),” McDonald said.

He concluded, saying, “It will take something special to infiltrate this group; it will be difficult.”