Australian batter Usman Khawaja has said to prefer Steve Smith to bat at No. 4 rather than as an opener in the Test set-up. However, Smith has opened the batting for Australia in Tests since the retirement of veteran David Warmer after the home series against Pakistan earlier this season. However, he has struggled at the top of the order, scoring only 171 runs at an average of 28.50 with one half-century in four matches.

Speaking to Fox Cricket about Smith’s opening conundrum in Tests, Khawaja said, “I’m not sure what the top six is going to be this summer. I’ve always loved Steve Smith batting at No. 4, I haven’t shied away from that. I love seeing him come in at No. 4 … you get two wickets, and who do you get walking in? The best batsman in the world. When you put him up to open, I feel like you’re kind of giving them a chance to get at him early.”

However, Smith is Australia’s fourth-highest run-getter in Tests with 9,685 runs at a stunning average of 56.97 in 109 games. While he has struggled as a Test opener this year, the move has helped Australia play all-rounders Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green in the playing XI as well.

“It’s a little bit of a quicker turnaround when you only have ten minutes, running off the field and you have to get back out there quickly. Outside of that, I don’t think there’s much change. I’ll bat wherever they want me to. I’m not that fussed. I’m pretty easy, whatever spot they want me to bat. I’m comfortable batting wherever,” Smith told Fox Cricket.

“We’ll see what that looks like, I suppose, whether they want me to continue (opening the batting) or go back to three or four. We’ll wait and see. I’m pretty easy batting anywhere. We’ll just see what stacks up and what the brain trust wants. I like to stand up in the big series and do well and help the team. Hopefully there’s much of the same this summer,” he concluded.