David Warner says that Steve Smith is “the best Test batter in the world” and supports him to bat first in the test.

Michael Clarke, a former captain of Australia, offered his opinions on the current discussion about David Warner‘s replacement as the team’s opening batter. The selectors’ attention has changed from choosing a specialist opener for the inaugural Test match against the West Indies to figuring out how to include all-rounder Cameron Green or perhaps letting Steve Smith begin the match.

Smith may become the greatest Test opener in the world in less than a year if given the chance to open, according to Clarke, who showed faith in Smith’s abilities.

“He’s that good a player. If you can bat at three you can bat anywhere in the order. Technically he’s good enough, lets the ball go well, he’s got a great eye, got beautiful hands. Yes, he might nick the occasional one or might get lbw but tell me someone who doesn’t. So if he opens the batting he’ll be the best opener within 12 months and don’t be surprised if he breaks Brian Lara’s 400 record because he’s that good and now he’s got the whole day,” Clarke said.

Still, Clarke pointed out that captain Pat Cummins’s recent remarks suggest a desire for as little disturbance to the present batting order as possible, which is why Clarke believes Cameron Green is the more likely candidate to take Warner’s opening position.

“It sounds from what Patty says, he wants the least amount of disruptions as possible. So that tells me that Cameron Green at this stage is probably the likeliest to come in and open the batting,” Clarke added.

Steve Smith the Test opener?

It’s not out of the question ahead of Australia’s #WTC25 series against the West Indies 🏏https://t.co/9u5CzVEvzG

— ICC (@ICC) January 8, 2024

Considering the standards he has set for himself over the previous ten or so years, Smith did not have the finest series with the bat in the three-match series against Pakistan. Smith only managed to score 194 runs in six innings, with a strikeout rate of 40, an average of 38.80, and a maximum score of 50.

“I think (Smith) would go well, he is the best Test batsman in the world, he just finds a way. It’s probably the challenge of it which I think he probably wants to get into,” Warner was quoted as saying to Michael Vaughan and Adam Gilchrist on the Prairie Club Fire podcast.