LOCKED IN: Opener saga over as Smith wins race; exiled star back ...

Australia has announced its squad for the first Test against West Indies in Adelaide next week, with Steve Smith to replace David Warner atop the batting order.

Head of selectors George Bailey confirmed the move during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon hours after a 13-man squad was unveiled.

Smith will shift up the order and partner Usman Khawaja, allowing Cameron Green to take his old spot at four in the batting line-up.

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Asked if it was an experiment or if Smith could move back to his old spot at No.4 if he struggles as an opener, Bailey replied: “Tongue in cheek I could say everything’s an experiment. That’s been part of the discussions with Steve, I believe he’s keen for this to be a significant chapter of his career.

“We don’t look too far ahead… (but) for all intents and purposes this is where Steve wants to stay.”

Asked if he expects Smith to play as an opener until the legend retires from Test cricket, Bailey replied: “He may do. It’s not something he’s doing on a whim or he wants to do for one match and see how he goes.”

Bailey added that he believes Smith feels the challenge of opening the batting in Test cricket is an “itch that he’d like to scratch”.

He added: “It’s selfless that someone who has had so much success in one position or a couple of positions in the middle order is open and willing and hungry to have a crack at something new and something different.”

Earlier, Bailey said in a Cricket Australia statement: “Cameron Green will come into the playing XI for the Test in Adelaide in a squad also containing Scott Boland and Matthew Renshaw. We have selected a team we believe contains the best six batters in the country.”

Steve Smith (C) will replace David Warner after the star opener retired from Test cricket.Source: Getty Images

Renshaw’s inclusion as the reserve batter means West Australian opener Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris (both 31) were omitted.

Rumours swirled ahead of the announcement that Bancroft’s standing within the team after the 2018 ball-tampering scandal had something to do with his snubbing.

However, Bailey strongly denied those suggestions.

“Categorically no (issue between players and Bancroft). And I’ve shared this with Cameron on a number of occasions,” he said. “It’s never been discussed, from the panel’s perspective, it’s purely a cricketing decision.”

He added: “There’s not a member of the team who would have an issue with Cam playing. We certainly don’t have an issue with it.

“I think a lot of people forget the fact that Cam’s actually played Test cricket since returning from the ban.

“It was a long time ago. We’ve all moved well past that. I’d be disappointed if people were looking to that as a reason… that’s not the case. Never has been and never will be.”

Bancroft has led the Sheffield Shield run-scoring charts over the last two years, which Bailey praised while emphasising that a number of other players - and not just openers - were equally ‘banging down the door’ for selection.

“Cam’s Sheffield Shield record over the last couple of years has obviously been phenomenal. It’s made this decision really challenging, a line ball call.

“Ultimately the decision to get Cam (Green) into the team was around we want our best six batters playing. As it currently stands the panel sees Matt Renshaw as our next best batsman.”

He added: “He is banging down the door. As I said, I think there’s a number of players that are banging down the door and that’s great. It’s not a bad thing that you’re having to make line ball decisions. It’s actually a really good thing.”

Cameron Bancroft has missed out on a Test recall despite strong Sheffield Shield form.Source: Getty Images

Meanwhile, Scott Boland’s place as Australia’s top reserve bowler has been reconfirmed as he retains his place in the 13 ahead of 25-year-old speedster Lance Morris.

Morris was allowed to return to the Perth Scorchers in the BBL ahead of the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan when the extended Australia squad was trimmed to 13, with Boland the reserve bowler in both Melbourne and Sydney.

“Scott Boland and Matt Renshaw will join the squad prior to the first Test after playing for the Melbourne Stars (Jan 15) and Brisbane Heat (Jan 13) in the BBL,” Bailey added in the statement.

But there is good news for Morris, who receives his first-ever call-up to the ODI squad (more below).

CONFIRMED AUSTRALIA TEST SQUAD

Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Matt Renshaw.

Australia also announced its ODI squad for a three-match series against the West Indies which follows the two-Test battle, with “an eye to the future”.

All four bowlers in the Test XI from the Pakistan series and the upcoming West Indies campaign - captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh - will be rested.

That sees Lance Morris included in his first-ever ODI squad, while the likes of Aaron Hardie, Jhye Richardson and Nathan Ellis are recalled. However, Marcus Stoinis was dumped from the side in a shock omission, while gloveman Alex Carey - who lost his place during Australia’s victorious World Cup campaign - was also left out.

George Bailey said in a statement: “It is a little over 12 months until the Champions Trophy and further opportunities for the likes of Aaron Hardie, Matt Short, Jhye Richardson, and Nathan Ellis will be valuable both to our ongoing improvement as a team and also further their personal experiences in ODI cricket.

“The squad strikes a balance between players continuing to make their mark on international cricket, playing alongside some of our most experienced players with an eye to the future in this format.”

AUSTRALIA ODI SQUAD FOR WEST INDIES SERIES

Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head (vc), Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Matt Short, Adam Zampa

Read the full story below

‘Eye to the future’: Stoinis dumped in big Aussie ODI cull as new era begins

Perth Scorchers quick Lance Morris could make his ODI debut after missing out on a Test call-up against the West Indies.Source: Getty Images

MARNUS BACKS SMITH TO OPEN, GREEN AT FOUR

It comes after Australia’s No.3 Marnus Labuschagne said he believes Smith would succeed as an opener – and it could motivate him to extend his career.

“If Steve does get the nod from Pat (Cummins) and the selectors and the coaches I’ve got no doubt that he would do a good job,’’ said Labuschagne on Tuesday.

“I think his (Smith’s) desire is that he’s excited for a new challenge. If that motivates him and that gets the cricket world Steve Smith for another three years I think that is a massive win.

“So if that is the way they go, I’m sure he’s going to do a good job. And if they don’t they don’t he averages 63 at number four so that is pretty good as well.

“It looks like the perfect scenario. When he was captain he liked a little bit more time from being in the field to getting out there. But I think he is ready to get out there from the start now.’’

Labuschagne also was bullish on the prospect of Green batting at number four, given he boasts a remarkable Shield average over 60 when lining up in that position for WA.

“Obviously Cameron Green’s record at No 4 four Western Australia is amazing. Obviously that is not a direct correlation to Test cricket but I think (you would be) pretty confident over a period of time he’s going to be a very good player in that position,” Labuschagne said.

“I’ve seen him get three hundreds (at four) at the Gabba in Shield cricket. He has a really nice even temperament. He is a very good decision maker, especially for a guy who is over two metres tall.

“He has a sound technique and a great defence. That’s the versatility you need at four. Someone who can play different scenarios. (He) knows when to push the button and knows when to hold back.

“We have seen him play in England and manage extensive periods of short pitched bowling. I’m sure that if he goes down that oath he can manage those different scenarios.’’

Labuschagne did, however, offer his support if selectors make a late switch and decide to have Green open – leaving Smith at four.

“I have no doubt that if Cam had to slot into the No.1 spot that he would be able to do that as well and that he would be able to bat wherever the team needs,” Labuschagne said.

“But it seems in this case that Steve really wants that opportunity to bat at the top. If they do end up going that way it looks like the perfect swap.”

‘SHOCKING’ BLOW FOR BANCROFT

Bancroft is the leading run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield over the last two seasons, but his latest snubbing has raised doubts over his chances of ever receiving a Test recall.

Earlier this week, Bancroft stated his case to replace Warner, declaring: “I feel like I’m physically, mentally and emotionally ready to take that opportunity.”

Former Australian all-rounder Tom Moody wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, that while selection is “never an easy task … the oversight of Cameron Bancroft is shocking”.

“His first class numbers are so compelling against his peers it feels there is another agenda which I hope was communicated to him honestly!” he added.

Former Australia opener and coach Justin Langer, meanwhile, wrote in a column for The West Australian that Bancroft would be “gutted”.

“The non-selection of Cameron Bancroft for this next test match against the West Indies is disappointing. He will be gutted,” Langer wrote.

“The mantra for all selectors is to tell aspiring players to score runs, take wickets, knock down the door. Be so good we can’t ignore you. Bancroft was given this message. All players are. He has taken the advice.

“His numbers are outstanding. Not only has he made a lot of runs, but his fielding in the slips or at bat pad is as good as any player in the country. He is at that age where players like Michael Hussey, Chris Rogers and Adam Voges have come in and dominated. A lot of good judges have pointed to his weight of runs, they are undeniable.

“Critics might point to his weaknesses of days gone by. Every player who is any good, gets dropped, looks for feedback and then goes away and gets better. Bancroft has ticked this box as well.

“Others might point to his past, and a vast error of Judgement in South Africa. He, like no other, knows the mistake he made. He has taken major steps forward, just as Steve Smith and David Warner did after their suspensions. Hopefully he has been forgiven for that.

“Form can’t be the issue. Timing isn’t either. David Warner has just retired. Cameron Bancroft will feel disappointed, as will Marcus Harris who has been next in line for some time. Matthew Renshaw will be understandably delighted.”

Bancroft has put up a Sheffield Shield-leading 1457 runs over the last two seasons, helping West Australia to back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023.

Former Australian Test captain Kim Hughes warned on Monday – before news of Bancroft’s omission came through – that overlooking the Western Australian’s Shield form would send the wrong message to players in the domestic first-class system.

“I think the other, and a very important thing is, you must reward those that are performing well, and our Sheffield Shield competition — yes it is not as strong as it used to be when he had our Test players playing in it — it is still the competition from which you can have a look and see who is playing well,” Hughes told The West Australian.

“I just think get Bancroft in there, it also sends a message to the Shield players that if you perform, you’ll get picked.

“You may as well go and play marbles — it would be just shattering.”

FULL REACTION: ‘Can’t be the issue’ — Aussie ‘agenda’ fears over ‘gutting’ call as Test squad fuels debate