Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey

Steve Smith will not open in the 2024/25 Border Gavaskar Trophy according to journalist Robert Craddock.

Smith moved to the opening position following David Warner’s retirement in January 2024. The move did not pay off, with Smith averaging just 28.50 in eight innings, bumped up by his excellent 91* against the Shamar Joseph-inspired West Indies at the Gabba.

Speaking on Sport Entertainment Network’s SEN Whateley program, Craddock was adamant Steve Smith would move back to the middle order with Travis Head a leading contender to open.

“I’m particularly taken by Head’s form because Steve Smith isn’t going to stay opening the batting in the Test series, it just won’t happen,” he said.

“They have minimal options, but Head is at the front line of that queue even though he doesn’t really want to be. I don’t think he sees himself as an opening bat in Test cricket.

“But I think if he does accept the position – and so he should because the team should come first – to open the batting with Usman Khawaja, I think he brings credit points with him.”

Steve Smith won’t open and that’s not just a personal opinion – Craddock

Craddock said it’s not just his personal opinion that Smith won’t open the batting. Those within the Australian cricket circle holds similar views. The belief is both Smith’s inside and outside edges are under threat when opening as opposed to batting at four.

“I just can’t hear a solitary voice pushing for him and I put my hand in the air, I thought it was a good idea,” said Craddock.

“But a lot of technicians who are smarter than I am thought it’d be the little things, like when he’s batting at four, he’s only got to really worry about the ball beating the outside edge.

“When he’s opening and the ball is swinging, then it can beat the inside edge and that’s where that accross-the-crease LBW comes into play.”

Australia are seeking to end a Border Gavaskar Trophy drought dating back to 2014/15. They have lost four series in a row against India – including two at home – and the opening position is one they need to get right against a strong attack that is likely to feature Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj.

“I just don’t think it (Smith opening) is going to happen,” Craddock continued. “And every person who I run into around the place in cricket over the last few weeks doesn’t think it’s going to happen, and probably nor should it.”

Legends including Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer have also expressed their desire to see Smith move back to number four. Australia are expected to make a decision after the white-ball series in England.

“That’s the question on everyone’s lips, isn’t it?” said coach Andrew McDonald. “While we’ve got an eye to it, we haven’t made any firm decisions around that one.”

The first Test against India kicks off on November 22 in Perth.