No vote grows louder Lehmann against elevating Smith to opening position
The “no” vote for superstar Test batter Steve Smith being elevated to open the batting against the West Indies has another supporter with former coach Darren Lehmann advocating against the move as the biggest selection decision in recent years looms large.
National selectors could decide as early as late Tuesday who will replace David Warner at the top of the order with Smith having told them he’s keen to test himself in the twilight of his stunning career.
Test greats past and present have all voiced their opinion on whether Smith, or Cameron Green, should be turned in to openers rather than choosing established players like Marcus Harris, Matthew Renshaw or Cameron Bancroft.
Lehmann said it appeared Smith wanted a “new challenge” and former national captain Michael Clarke even said he’d be the “best opener in the world” if given time.
But Test captain Pat Cummins has advocated for as little upheaval as possible to his allconquering side, while the likes of Matthew Hayden, former selector Merv Hughes and former captain Kim Hughes have all said a specialist opener should be picked.
Lehmann said on numbers alone that Bancroft, the leading run scorer in the Sheffield Shield for the past two season, probably “deserves” first crack.
“Smith is a superstar. If anyone can do it, he can do it, the transition from four to one,” Lehmann said.
“He obviously wants a new challenge. Behind the scenes he’s apparently quite keen to do it.
“I’d love him to stay at four. I love Marnus (Labuschagne), Smith, (Travis) Head, (Mitch) Marsh and (Alex) Carey from three to seven.
“Being from Queensland I’d like to see Renshaw.
“But if they go on sheer stats and performance and give state cricket the credit it deserves then it’s probably got to be Bancroft, doesn’t it? He’s played so well in all formats for the last few years.
“Then Harris has been the spare man on tour, so it could be one of those three.”
Lehmann was not a fan of Green being elevated to open, just to get in the Test team, having been squeezed out by fellow all-rounder Mitch Marsh.
“I think Green just has to wait his turn. I’m not against that,” he told SEN.
“Mitch Marsh has taken his spot and grabbed it with both hands, it’s just the way it is
“Maybe Green has to be held off for a little bit, that might be the hardest thing, but it might also be the making of him as a player.
“He goes, ‘I’m not playing because I just didn’t do the things I needed to do to cement my spot’, and he might take his next chance with both hands.”
Clarke said Smith would take to opening like a duck to water.
“If he [Smith] wants to open the batting and they give him the chance, he’ll be the No. 1 Test opener within 12 months,” he told ESPN’s Around The Wicket show.