Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson supported veteran batter, Steve Smith, to continue opening the batting in the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy against India. Both teams will fight in a highly anticipated five-match Test series, starting in Perth on November 22.

Speaking to the media at the launch of the International Masters League, Watson was quoted by India Today as saying: “Steve Smith made the call to be able to go and open, and I think he should stay there. Cameron Green came in and batted at No 4 and did a brilliant job. The hundred that he got in New Zealand for something very special. He’s the perfect No 4 candidate now with the future moving forward. The reason why he (Smith) didn’t do so well over the previous couple of Test matches is that he was a little bit off with his technique. Just a little bit off, which led to him getting out in ways I’ve never really seen before.”

However, Shane Watson also expressed confidence in the pace trio – Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc to meet the physical
demands of a five-match Test series as well, pointing to their resilience and fitness throughout their careers as well.

“One thing that they’ve shown throughout their careers, especially in the last four or five years, is how incredibly resilient they are. Once bowlers like Starc, Hazlewood, and Cummins get up and going, they are very resilient. They are hard-bodied and Test-match-fit bowlers, which is every fast bowler’s dream,” concluded Shane Watson.