MELBOURNE: Steve Smith’s first outing as a Test opener may not have gone to plan but Australian coach Andrew McDonald stated he had complete support of the team and that it would take time for him to build a relationship with Usman Khawaja at the top of the order.
Moving up from number four following David Warner’s retirement, Smith posted scores of 12 and 11 not out in the series opener against West Indies, contributing to Australia’s win within seven sessions. McDonald acknowledged the strong bond between Warner and Khawaja from their junior cricket days and expressed the team’s commitment to allowing the new opening partnership to cultivate a similar rapport.
Australia Keep Faith in Smith as Opener: Coach
“We’ve seen Davey and Usman’s connection and then the partnerships that they’ve been able to produce,” the coach said. “They are world-class performers at the top of the order and we think Steve Smith is one of the best problem-solvers in the game. “We have said that leading into this and it makes sense for us that he’s at the top.”
In his Test debut at Adelaide, West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph made an impactful start by dismissing Smith with his maiden delivery in international cricket and securing figures of 5-94 in the first innings.
Meanwhile, another newcomer, Justin Greaves, took 2-36. Despite this, McDonald expressed confidence that Australian batters would fare better in the upcoming day-night second Test in Brisbane, set to commence on Thursday, having acquainted themselves with the new West Indies bowling attack.
