Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey

Former Australia coach and opening batsman Justin Langer believes Steve Smith must bat at number four in the 2024/25 Border Gavaskar Trophy. The move to shift Smith to opener didn’t work too well last season, with the great batsman averaging 28.50 in his eight innings in the role. This is bolstered by a standout 91* against West Indies at the Gabba in January.

Even after retirement, Langer and Matthew Hayden see eye to eye. Last week, Hayden said moving Smith to opener is “crazy” and that he needs to go back to number four.

Justin Langer believes Steve Smith will deliver best at number 4

Speaking on the Cricket et al podcast, Langer said number four is a specialised position. But, because Australia selected Smith as opener last season, they face a conundrum as to who would be left out if they shift the right-hander back down the order.

“He’s the greatest player we’ve had. Great players adapt, they can bat anywhere in the order. For the Australian cricket team, I think he’s best suited to bat number four,” Langer said.

“I think it’s a really specialised position (number four). It’s not that he can’t do it (open the batting). I’d love to see him bat at No.4, but then they have to work out who doesn’t play. My observation was that it was more about trying to get Cameron Green in and Mitch Marsh had taken that (all-rounders’) role, but they wanted to get the best young player into the XI,” he continued.

Earlier this month, Pat Cummins spoke of the benefit of having two all-rounders in the team. This could be a hint that Australia will start the 2024/25 Border Gavaskar Trophy with the same batting lineup.

Check out our thoughts on The CricBlog Podcast about the Steve Smith batting position debate.