NEW DELHI: Star Australian batsman Steve Smith revealed that his team initially didn't take him seriously when he expressed his desire to shift to the top of the batting order following
David Warner
's retirement.
Smith shared that considering himself as an opener for the first time in his 13-year Test career occurred during last year's
Ashes
series against England. This contemplation arose when Warner first hinted at the possibility of retiring from the longest format of the game.
Nevertheless, the idea didn't come to fruition until the team arrived in Perth to kick off the Pakistan series last month, when the 34-year-old presented his concept to the national selection committee, which included men's team coach
Andrew McDonald
.
"I'd been pushing it for a few weeks, even before Perth and I might have even floated it in England randomly and said I'm happy to play up top," cricket.com.au. quoted Smith as saying.
His comments came today prior to his first Test training session before the West Indies Test series.
"In Perth I said 'after Davey's done I'm actually keen to get up there' and I don't think they (selectors) took me seriously until I got to Sydney (for the pink Test against Pakistan) and said 'you know I'm actually being genuine here'," the right-hand batter added.
"I'd be keen to get up top and face the new ball and they were like 'we'll take that under advisement and see how it all looks'. They were obviously very keen to get Cameron (Green) in the side as well and play our best six batters, and for me it didn't sit right to have him come in and bat up top. I've played for a long time and I'm an experienced player, and I think it's something I should have done," the Sydney-born cricketer concluded.
(With ANI Inputs)
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