Steve Smith asks Pat Cummins for a return to No. 4 position in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

Steve Smith has made 19 centuries while batting at No. 4 in test cricket so far.

Australia’s chair of selectors George Bailey has confirmed that veteran batter Steve Smith won’t open the batting against the Indian cricket team during the high-voltage Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. This development comes up as star all-rounder Cameron Green was ruled out of the upcoming series due to a back injury. 

For the first time since the 1991-92 series, both nations will compete in a five-match test series. The much-awaited test series will be played from November 22, 2024, to January 7, 2025, in Australia.

The Indian side have previously clinched two consecutive Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia (2018-19 and 2020-21) and would be aiming for their hat-trick of series wins Down Under during their upcoming tour.

Steve Smith expressed a desire to move back to No. 4: George Bailey

Following David Warner’s test retirement earlier this year, Smith had asked to be moved to the top of the order, replacing Warner. This also helped star all-rounder Cameron Green get into the side and bat at No. 4.

But Smith couldn’t perform well while opening the innings. In four matches as an opener, he made 171 runs at a below-par average of 28.50. 

Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Bailey confirmed that Smith had a chat with skipper Pat Cummins and head coach Andrew McDonald about moving back to the number four position.

“Pat, Andrew and Steven Smith had been having ongoing conversations separate to the untimely injury to Cameron anyway,” Bailey said on Monday.

“And I think Steve had expressed a desire to move back down from that opening position. Pat and Andrew have confirmed that he will be dropping back down the order for the summer. So, yeah, clearly we’ve got a No. 4 spot to fill and an opening spot to fill,” he added.

Smith has a superb record while batting at No. 4 in test cricket. The 35-year-old has amassed 5966 runs in 67 matches at an admirable average of 61.50 in this position while notching up 19 centuries and 26 half-centuries.

India’s tour of Australia 2024-25 schedule:

November 22-26: 1st test, Perth Stadium, Perth (D)

December 6-10: 2nd test, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (D/N)

December 14-18: 3rd test, The Gabba, Brisbane (D)

December 26-30: 4th test, MCG, Melbourne (D)

January 3-7: 5th Test, SCG, Sydney (D)

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