“When you’ve averaged near 60 over your career, it’s time to head back in that direction” – Aaron Finch backs Steve Smith to return to No. 4 in Tests

Former Australian skipper Aaron Finch has backed Steve Smith to return to the number four position in Test cricket. After David Warner’s retirement, Smith has opened the innings along with Usman Khawaja. Smith has scored 171 runs in four Test matches at an average of 28.50 while playing against the West Indies and New Zealand.

Meanwhile, Smith has a fantastic record while batting at number four, scoring 5966 runs in 67 Test matches with an impressive average of 61.50, including 19 centuries.

Aaron Finch said while talking to 7 News, “(Smith opening) did make a bit of sense when you’re trying to find the best spot for Cameron Green in the side when everybody’s been quite open about the fact that they want to push him in the side no matter what it takes.”

“I can see where the move came from, Steve putting his hand up and saying, ‘You know what, maybe it is time for a new challenge,’ and he proved himself a good opener, no doubt about that. But, I mean, when you’ve averaged near on 60 over your career, I think it’s time to head back in that direction, in my opinion,” he added.

Smith is a vital cog in Australia’s batting and he is going to hold the key for the home team in the Border-Gavaskar series against India later in the year.

On the other hand, Finch wants wicket-keeper bat Alex Carey to play aggressively like Travis Head in the middle order.

“All around the world, he’s probably proved himself to be an outstanding wicket-keeper and then the runs are really important, especially against a team like India. Their bowling attack is so strong that you can’t allow them to dictate terms to you because they’re so consistent. They’re so accurate. So the way that he plays and puts the pressure back on oppositions will be a really crucial role at No. 7 because there will be early wickets.”

The opening Test match between India and Australia will be played at Perth from November 22 onwards.