Pat Cummins doesn't want Steve Smith to replace David Warner as opener

Australia are in search of a new Test opener after David Warner’s retirement and while Steve Smith is “pretty keen” on doing the job, captain Pat Cummins would like one of his best batters to stay at the No. 4 spot where he has batted the most in his illustrious career.

“I’m pretty happy with [Smith’s] output at No. 4,” Cummins said Australia defeated Pakistan at the SCG. “Obviously Marnus [Labuschagne], Smudge [Smith], Trav [Head] and [Mitchell] Marsh have been pretty impressive at Nos. 3, 4, 5 and 6. So first instinct isn’t probably to disrupt that.”

The picture will become clear on Monday when Australian selectors will meet to pick the squad for the first Test against West Indies.

Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft and Matt Renshaw are the readymade options for the selectors, having done the job earlier in Test cricket. There are also suggestions in Australian media that Cameron Green could get that job after coach Andrew McDonald suggested the same.

Green has never batted higher than No 6 in Test cricket and doesn’t open in first-class cricket as well, but it could be a bold move that Australia may be tempted to make.

“It’s obviously going to be really hard to replicate Davey and what he’s brought to it. I think you look for who is best placed to score runs, really. But I think, in Test cricket, there are some things that remain true – and that is you’ve got to be putting the pressure on the opposition. You’ve got to be ticking over the scoreboard. Not always – but most of the time – you’ve got to keep the scoreboard moving along,” Cummins said.

Another option is to give No. 3 Marnus Labuschagne a chance. However, he is more keen on Smith taking up the job.

“He averages 58 at five, 61 at four and 67 at three – so it seems like the higher he goes, the more he averages,” Labuschagne said. “I’ve got no doubt if that’s the way we go, he will do very well. He really wants it, he wants that motivation… waiting to bat is not his forte; he wants to get out there straightaway.

“I’m happy to do what the team needs, but I do love batting at three; I love the variety of the role. At the moment, it could be anyone. I’ve seen the media throwing around Travis Head, throwing around me, [and] obviously the three openers outside of the squad – Cameron Bancroft, Matt Renshaw and Marcus Harris. Smudge [Smith] seems like the lead frontrunner, the one that really wants it.”