Steve Smith Acknowledges Not Being Taken Seriously for Australia's Next Test Opener Role

Steve Smith, Australia's premier batter, has revealed that his idea of opening the batting was not initially taken seriously by the selectors. However, he has now been named as Australia's Test opener just three days before the series against the West Indies.

Smith had been expressing his interest in opening for a few weeks, even before the Perth Test. He had floated the idea in England as well. It wasn't until he reiterated his desire in Sydney during the pink Test against Pakistan that the selectors started taking it seriously.

"I'd been pushing it for a few weeks, even before Perth, and I might have even floated it in England randomly and said I'm happy to play up top. In Perth, I said 'after Davey's done, I'm actually keen to get up there,' and I don't think they (selectors) took me seriously until I got to Sydney (for the pink Test against Pakistan) and said 'you know I'm actually being genuine here'," Smith stated.

He expressed his eagerness to face the new ball and cited the desire to play his best cricket as the reason behind the decision. Smith's experience batting at number three before dropping down to number four has fueled his desire to open the batting.

"I'm looking forward to the opportunity of getting in and facing the new ball. It's something that isn't really foreign to me; I've batted on numerous occasions where I've come in early doors, and I batted at number three for quite a while."

Smith also mentioned that opening the batting would allow him to avoid waiting for longer periods in the dugout and added that he doesn't have a specific date in mind for retirement.

"I don't have a date in mind when I want to finish up playing. I'm taking it game by game. I don't like waiting to bat; I never really have. I actually don't like watching cricket that much, believe it or not. I'd prefer to be out there batting," Smith commented.

(With Agency Inputs)