New Delhi
Michael Vaughan, former England captain, suggests that Steve Smith’s place in the T20 World Cup squad for the West Indies and United States might be jeopardized if he is not deployed as an opener in the shorter format. Vaughan’s concern stems from Australian captain Mitch Marsh’s confirmation that Travis Head and David Warner will form the opening pair for the upcoming three-match T20I series against New Zealand.
Vaughan emphasizes Smith’s proficiency in maximizing the first six overs as an opener, stating that if he doesn’t open, his impact diminishes in the middle order post-powerplay. Vaughan contends that players in the middle order need to hit boundaries consistently from overs six to 20, a role Smith might not excel in. He highlights Smith’s ability to perform exceptionally well within the first six overs when field restrictions are in place.
The ongoing T20 series against New Zealand serves as Australia’s final preparation before the T20 World Cup, with Marsh confirming his batting position at No.3. However, Marsh indicated that the squad members in New Zealand may not feature in all three matches.
Meanwhile, Australian cricket legend Mike Hussey points out that the batting order, particularly the No.5 position, remains a concern for selectors. Hussey acknowledges the dynamism of the Warner-Head partnership and emphasizes the significance of refining the team’s batting lineup for optimal performance in the upcoming tournament.
