Can’t see how Smith opening is going to work for Australia, says Hayden

Listen to Story Former Australia opening batter Matthew Hayden has backed Matt Renshaw to open the batting for Australia in Tests over Steve Smith. The opening slot for Australia is up for grabs in Tests following David Warner’s retirement. Speaking to Sydney Morning Herald, Hayden said that Smith opening the batting for Australia is not going to happen.

Warner called time on his illustrious Test career after playing his farewell Test against Pakistan in Sydney. “It’s just not going to happen in my opinion. He’s commanded so much respect in the game that we should all listen to what he has to say, but I equally think that’s not the way the Australian cricket team management will go.

It certainly doesn’t sound like the way Pat will go,” said Hayden. He went on to say that he doesn’t see how Smith opening the batting strategically works for Australia. Smith has never opened the batting for Australia in Test cricket. “I just can’t see how strategically that [Smith opening] is going to work for Cricket Australia.

They will need someone more concrete than that. When you look at the success over the last two years of this Test team, it’s been based on a very solid foundation. It’s been such a key structure – that number one to four set in stone has been gold for Cricket Australia," Hayden added Hayden backed Renshaw to open the batting for Australia in the future, saying age on the side of the left handed batter.

Renshaw has scored 645 runs in 14 Test matches for Australia, at an average of 29.31, hitting three fifties and a solitary hundred. “David Warner has had his say in Marcus Harris and Ricky Ponting has had his say on record with [Cameron] Bancroft. I feel like a left handed opener in Renshaw is that person with age on his side.

He maybe doesn’t have the performances of Bancroft at first class cricket but in many ways, I just feel like he has shown what he can potentially do, and he has that longevity,” said Hayden. Following their clean sweep of Pakistan, Australia will face the West Indies in a two match Test series, starting January 17..