Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke has backed Steve Smith to become the best opener in the world within 12 months of starting to open the innings. The World Cup winning skipper claimed that Smith can even break Brian Lara’s record of 400 if he gets promoted up the order.
“If he [Steve Smith] wants to open the batting and they give him the chance, he will be the No. 1 Test opener within 12 months. He is that good a player. He is technically good enough, he lets the ball go well, he’s got a great eye, he’s got beautiful hands. Yes, he might nick the occasional one, he might get LBW but tell me someone that doesn’t. He is that good a player, and maybe it is the challenge he is looking for”, Clarke said on Around The Wicket show.
Earlier, Australia team coach Andrew McDonald also revealed Smith’s desire to open the innings for Australia in Test format.
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“He’s mentioned it throughout the last couple of weeks. He’s put his view forward, and we will consider all options”, McDonald had said in post-match presentation after SCG Test.
Smith has amassed 9500 runs in the Test format, with an impressive 6000 of those runs coming while batting at No. 4.
