Australian cricketer Steven Smith has confidently hit back at critics who have raised doubts over his future as a Test opener for the national team. Smith’s batting prowess at the top of the order is reflected in his exceptional average of 60.00. His emphatic response came during the pre-series media interaction on Wednesday, January 31, where Smith faced a volley of questions regarding his recent performances.
“There was a lot of commentary around I’d failed in two or three innings or whatever it was, I had a not out and two low scores,” Smith expressed, based on the coverage from Fox Cricket ahead of Australia’s first One Day International (ODI) against the West Indies. Despite occasional lapses, his statistics speak of a consistency that has been the hallmark of his illustrious career.
“And now I think I’m averaging 60 as an opener. I didn’t really read too much into it. It was just another position. I’ve batted against a new ball numerous times, coming in early, so, for me, it’s just a position I’m just playing and that’s it,” Smith articulated. His versatility and adaptability have seen him flourish in varying situations, facing the new ball with the same ease as anchoring an innings.
The confidence that Smith exhibits stems from his robust experience and his focused approach to the game. He did not hesitate to assert that he is enjoying his role at the top, but remains a team player at heart, willing to bat wherever necessary. “I’ll bat really wherever the team needs me to. I’m comfortable up top, I’ve enjoyed the first couple of weeks of it,” he avowed. Smith reassured that whether to continue as an opener or to move back down the order, he will adhere to the team’s strategic decisions, staying open to any role that enhances the team’s prospects.
Strengthening the team spirit further, Smith has offered his support to fellow batsman Marnus Labuschagne, who is currently experiencing a rough patch in the red-ball format. With a leadership role in the ODI series against West Indies, Smith has taken the opportunity to advise Labuschagne to return to fundamental techniques and to maintain self-belief.
“I think he’ll be the first to admit that he probably hasn’t got the scores on the board that he would have liked, but I think he feels like he’s batting well and we know how good of a player he is,” Smith commended his teammate. He suggested that the pursuit of perfection can sometimes be a double-edged sword, especially when one tries too hard and loses sight of the basics.
Aware of Labuschagne’s tendency to overthink, Smith has pointed out the importance of a simplified mental approach. “He’s definitely a thinker, sometimes maybe an overthinker, which I’ve said to him as well. It’s about sort of going to the basics and trusting yourself and doing all the work you want to do in the nets. But when you get out in the middle, it’s just about focusing on that ball coming down at you and playing each one to the best of your ability.”
Smith’s advice reflects not only his support for Labuschagne as a colleague but also his deep understanding of the psychological aspects of cricket. He knows well that a clear mind and focused vision on the pitch are vital for a batsman to overcome form slumps and to succeed consistently at the international level.
With a fortified will and a clear sense of his place in the squad, Steve Smith’s resolute stance and mentorship indicate that his cricket journey as a Test opener is far from over. His average of 60.00 stands as an assertive reply to anyone who questions his future in this role, underscoring his value to Australian cricket and signaling his readiness to rise to the team’s needs, whatever they may be.
