Steve Smith endured a terrible outing at the top of the order for New South Wales against Victoria in the Sheffield Shield competition at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. After contributing just three runs in the first innings, Smith was dismissed for a duck in the second essay.
The former Australia captain, batting at one down, didn’t offer a shot to an in-swinging Scott Boland delivery and was adjudged leg before wicket.Smith’s expression suggested he didn’t read the ball well and was surprised to see it come in that much.
Victoria had taken a 136-run lead after the first innings and piled on 246 runs in the second to hand New South Wales a 383 run target.
Much of the conversation around Smith lately has been on his position in the Australian batting lineup ahead of the all-important Border-Gavaskar Trophy that gets underway on November 22.
Having initially been Australia’s opener alongside Usman Khawaja, since David Warner’s retirement, Smith will occupy the No. 4 slot during the five-match Test series against India.
In an interview, Smith opened up on the elevation to the opening role and how it displeased Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne.
“There is spot available in the opening slot with Cameron Green ruled out. I had a conversation after New Zealand series, with Marnus and Uzi hated me at the top. They wanted me behind them,” Smith told ESPNcricinfo.
“They want security behind them. They were against me not batting there so that played a big role in the decision. I have got a good record at four,” he added.
Smith added he didn’t ask to be demoted to No. 4 spot but acknowledged it was his “ideal position”.
“I was asked about my favourite batting position, I said four. I didn’t ask them to change my batting order. I never requested them to demote me to number four. I am happy to bat wherever the management wants me to bat. Four would be my ideal position.”
