'It's Crazy': Aussie Legend Questions Cricket Australia's Decision Of Promoting Smith As Test Opener

Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024: India take on Australia in a five-match Test series late this year in November. With every passing day, the anticipation surrounding the Border-Gavaskar keeps on growing. It is safe to say that it is the biggest Test series of the year. Whenever India and Australia play against each other with their Test whites on, it produces some great moments and matches that pass on to the future generations.

David Warner's Retirement Mounts Problems For Australia

Before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starts, there is a big problem for Australia and looks like they don't have answers to it. Their 'southpaw' David Warner announced his retirement this year after the culmination of the ninth edition of the World T20. Now Australia want someone who can replace David at the top of the batting order, but haven't been able to identify his successor. Of course they are big boots to fill in.

Australia tried a makeshift arrangement by promoting their Test batting stalwart Steve Smith as an opener, but that plan backfired. While attending the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards, former Aussie player expressed his disagreement with Smith being used as an opener.

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'You can't argue with that. Steve Smith averages 65 (56.97 and has 30 (32) Test match hundreds. You know the role of an opening batsman compared to a middle order batsman is very different. It didn't take long to discover that [in New Zealand earlier in the year when Smith as an opener was not exactly a success]. I said at the time that I didn't like the change. I think it's crazy to think that you have the world's best-in-class batter in a certain position. And then you change to a completely different position', said Hayden

IND vs AUS: The Ultimate Battle For the Border-Gavaskar Silverware

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Just like the Ashes, the Border-Gavaskar is also important to Australia. without any grain of doubt, India and Australia have been two of the finest Test teams. England can in some claim that they are great in the Tests but they are lingering at the bottom half of the World Test Championship points table.