Speculation had revolved around Smith’s batting position, returning to Australia’s extreme Test form against Brandnew Zealand in March, after his eight innings at the top of the field had yielded just 171 runs at 28.50.
“And I think Steve had expressed a desire to move back down from that starting position. Pat and Andrew have confirmed that he will be moving back down the order for the summer. So, yes, clearly we have a number 4 spot to fill and a vacant spot to fill”.
Bailey did not approve that Smith would fit into Disagree. 4 for the first Test against the Republic of India starting on November 22 in Perth and was careful to reiterate that Cummins and McDonald were the ones who decided the batting situation. He added that the situation is not yet set in stone given that there are five weeks of travel left before the first ball is bowled.
Bailey hinted that Smith would have moved without considering Green’s trauma, but did not reveal how the top six would have been configured if Green had been fit to play.
“There has been part of those discussions and what it would be like,” he mentioned. “But I guess once you start moving parts around, a lot of those conversations become null and void.”
Week for opening a consultant?
It seems very likely that Australia’s selectors will pick an opener to replace Green and return Smith to his preferred position. Bailey was asked if choosing a remaining bowling option among the leading six was important, given the absence of Green and doubts over Mitchell Marsh’s bowling duties. But it was soon realized that Australia’s attack had been carried out without an all-rounder.
“They’ve done it in the past,” Bailey said. “You don’t know how each Test will play out in terms of workload for the quicks, or what impact Nathan Lyon will have over the summer. We have certainly been and will continue to prepare that Mitch Marsh might bowl some overs as well, and that has been part of his management and construction over the last few months. So there are other ways to play, and we have been a team that has played, without an all-rounder in the past.
“He’s in the mix like a lot of others. I certainly don’t want to single him out. I think the consistency of Cam Bancroft over a number of years, the consistency of Marcus Harris over a number of years, they both have also had a look at the cricket of test, so I don’t think there is any need at this stage to put undue pressure on Sam.”
George Bailey on Sam Konstas’ chances of a Check call-up
“No, we still really like Matt’s ability to play,” Bailey said. “As far as Australia A selection is concerned, part of the process is to try to identify opportunities that may arise in the short term for any opportunities that may arise, but also make sure we are attentive to the development of opportunities for those players who They may also become important in different roles in the future.
“So while there is an Australia A team there, I think Matt Renshaw, Pete Handscomb and Nic Maddinson, as three examples, are guys who we will proceed to look at closely in Safeguard cricket.”
Bailey suggested 19-year-old Konstas could get into the mix for India’s premiership if he continues to perform after his twin centuries in the first Shield round.
“He’s in the mix, as are a lot of others,” Bailey said. “I definitely don’t want to rule it out. I feel Cam Bancroft’s consistency over a number of years, Marcus Harris’ consistency over a number of years, they’ve both had a look at Check cricket as well. So let’s not assume that at this level there is some desire to place undue expectations of power on Sam.
“He is five games into his first-class career. He has made a good start and certainly looks like he has a well-organised game which we are very excited and keen to see at A level, and we will just continue to watch as it progresses.” .
Bailey also noted that Bancroft’s premature partnership against Queensland in the opening round of the Safeguard season would no longer count against him.
“I talked to Cam after that game and I jokingly told him, if he [wasn’t] “In such a good situation, he could have played and missed too,” Bailey said. “So that could be a very good sign for the rest of the summer. There are a lot of hitters who have managed to get a feather with an early ball from Michael Neser. So there has been no harm done. He certainly has credits in the bank. His consistency over a number of years he has been phenomenal, as have many of the other players I have mentioned. A one-off game like that was not going to have any impact.
Alex Malcolm is an assistant essayist at ESPNcricinfo
