NEW DELHI: Despite his dismal run at the top, former opener Shane Watson supported right-hand batsman Steve Smith to open the innings in the next series ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia.
The first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between Australia and India will take place in Perth on November 22.
India has won the last four series it has played against Australia, including two victories Down Under in the 2018-19 and 2020-21 seasons.
“Steve Smith made the call to be able to go and open, and I think he should stay there. The safety blanket for him would be moving back to No. 4, but I would love to see him continue to take on the opening spot because he’s got the skill to be able to do it,” Watson said at the sidelines of the launch of the International Masters League as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
“I believe the reason why he didn’t do so well over the previous couple of Test matches is just [that] he was a little bit off with his technique. You see [saw] him getting out a couple of ways which I’ve never really seen him get out before,” the all-rounder added.
“I know he would’ve had time just to go away, make some little technical adjustments, and if he opens and he makes those little adjustments, he can be incredibly successful as an opening batter knowing the incredible skill that he’s got,” the 43-year-old concluded.
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