Michael Clarke backs Steve Smith to become top batter as Test opener

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke believes Steve Smith would become the “No. 1 Test opener within 12 months” if given the chance as a replacement for retiring David Warner. But he still sees the selector going with Cameron Green as the likelier option.

The upcoming Test series against West indies will mark the beginning of a new era in Australian Test cricket following Warner’s retirement. Options include specialist openers Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris or Matt Renshaw or allround option in Green.

Steve Smith is the only current player to say he wants to open the batting, but both captain Pat Cummins and coach Andrew McDonald have been hesitant with the proposition.

“If he [Smith] wants to open the batting and they give him the chance, he’ll be the No. 1 Test opener within 12 months,” Clarke said on ESPN’s Around The Wicket show. “He’s that good a player. If you can bat at three you can bat anywhere in the order. Technically he’s good enough, lets the ball go well, he’s got a great eye, got beautiful hands.

“Yes, he might nick the occasional one or might get lbw but tell me someone who doesn’t. So if he opens the batting he’ll be the best opener within 12 months. [And] don’t be surprised if he breaks Brian Lara’s 400 record because he’s that good and now he’s got the whole day.”

With Cummins stating the current batting order is in successful position and wants to tinker as little as possible, Green seems like a favourable solution.

“It sounds from what Patty says, he wants the least amount of disruptions as possible. Marnus has been brilliant, Smith’s four, Travis Head five, Mitch Marsh six. So that tells me that Cameron Green at this stage is probably the likeliest to come in and opening the batting,” said Clarke.

Smith, who has never opened in Test or first-class cricket, did find support from former Australia batter Callum Ferguson as well.

“I think he would prepare himself as well as anyone to open the batting if he decided he wanted to do that,” he told the show. “I’ve always been in the camp that you need a specialist opening batter but if it was Steve Smith coming to you and saying I want to open the batting, I think he’s looking for a challenge, that next motivation and inspiration I his career, and honestly if he took to that job I think he’d do it better than anyone else.”