The decision to move Steve Smith back to his traditional No. 4 batting position in the Australian Test team has been a topic of much discussion among cricket fans and pundits. While some believe it is a strategic move that will benefit the team, others question the need to disrupt the batting order at this crucial stage of the season.

Marnus Labuschagne, Australia’s star No. 3 batter, has come out in strong support of the decision. He believes that Smith is at his best when batting at No. 4, given his experience and success in that position. With Cameron Green unavailable, Labuschagne sees no better option than to have Smith bat at No. 4.

“One of the best players for Australia batting in the position he has had the most success in is a pretty simple fix,” Marnus Labuschagne said. “Cameron Green is unavailable for the summer. There is no one batting at No. 4 as we currently stand in our team. Why not have the person who has done it best for Australia batting in that position? It just makes sense,” he added.

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Marnus Labuschagne’s endorsement of Smith’s move is based on the veteran batter’s ability to read match situations and adapt his game accordingly. He believes that Smith’s experience and skill set make him the ideal candidate to bat at No. 4, where he can play spin effectively and provide stability to the middle order.

However, some argue that Smith’s struggles at the top of the order should not be ignored. While he may be a better fit at No. 4, it is possible that he could still face challenges against top-quality spin bowlers. Additionally, the decision to move Smith could disrupt the team’s batting rhythm and create uncertainty in the top order.

Steve Smith himself has taken the move in stride, joking that Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja were not too happy about him batting above them. He understands their perspective but insists that he is not overly concerned about his batting position.

“They hated me up top…so that was a big part of it. They call it security behind them – I don’t know, ask them about it. Honestly, I’m not that fussed. They didn’t like it at all…I can understand that,” Steve Smith said.

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While the debate over Smith’s batting position continues, one thing is certain: the Australian team is facing a crucial decision ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The selectors will need to carefully consider the pros and cons of moving Smith back to No. 4 and make a decision that is in the best interests of the team.