New Delhi: Team India will be on a tour of Australia for the upcoming five-Test Border Gavaskar Trophy with the first Test set to kick off on November 22 in Perth. The series is one of the most sought-after equally by fans and cricket pundits, who have already started talking about it, even discussing on social media about several aspects. Former Australian cricketer Shane Watson has joined the bandwagon, opining on who should open for the Aussies.
Watson feels star batter Steven Smith is the perfect fit for the role against India. Smith has predominantly batted in the middle order and Watson is hoping for his promotion up the order since David Warner hung his boots. Although he did open his four Tests after that, mustering 174 runs at an average of 28.50. Watson however had some tips for the Australia veteran, saying that the 35-years-old needs to make some technical adjustments.
“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,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Watson as saying.
“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.
Watson admitted that he would’ve had time to go away and make those little technical adjustments and according to him, if he does so, he can be highly successful as an opening batter knowing the incredible skill that he’s got.
India dominating Australia
It is noteworthy that India are the defending champions of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. The lifted the title back in 2018-19 winning the series 2-1 and replicated the win in the 2020-21 series as well. They went on to host the Aussies in 2022-23 and won the series by the same margin (2-1). In the current World Test Championship (2023-25) points table, India sit on the top meanwhile Aussies follow them siting second.
Shane Watson has named an Australian batter whom he feels should open against India in the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy, reasoning that he has got every ability to take on the no.1 Test team in WTC 2023-2025 table. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
