BGT 2024-25: Steve Smith Set to Bat in Middle Order, Not Open

Australia is working very hard to get ready for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2024–2025. The team will play team India in the opening Test of the series in Perth starting on November 22 to begin the highlight series. There can be some lineup and composition changes done before the series.

Steve Smith, one of the more prominent ones, bats later in the order rather than at the top of the order. George Bailey, the chair of selectors for Cricket Australia, announced ahead of the series that Smith will be dropping back down the middle order. 

Steve Smith gets a new position:

Bailey further disclosed that Smith had discussed the development with head coach Andrew McDonald and captain Pat Cummins to secure his return to the middle order, even prior to Cameron Green's summer-ending back injury. 

According to ESPNcricinfo's comment of Bailey, "Since Cameron Green's tragic injury, Pat, Andrew, and Steven Smith had been in constant communication, and I believe Steve had indicated a wish to resign from that initial role. It has been verified by Pat and Andrew that he will be reducing the order for the summer. Thus, it's evident that we need to fill both the opening and No. 4 spots."

It is noteworthy that George Bailey stated that Andrew McDonald and captain Pat Cummins would determine the batting order, although he did not explicitly confirm that Smith would bat at number four against India in the Perth Test. He added that the batting order is susceptible to alter at any time and is not fixed in stone at this time.

"Some of those conversations have taken place, as well as how it would appear. However, I suppose a lot of those discussions end up being meaningless if moving parts are involved," Bailey remarked.

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