George Bailey reveals that Steve Smith will be elevated from the middle order to replace David Warner as Test opener against the West Indies
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00:00 With Ron and Pat this morning, they've given the all clear for me to let you know that
00:06 they've decided that Steve Smith will be opening the batting and Cameron Green will come into
00:12 the number four position, which is fantastic. Steve's obviously motivated and energised and
00:17 keen to do it. There were plenty within the team who were pretty keen to go on record and say that
00:23 they weren't keen to do it. So it was refreshing that Steve had come forward and said he wanted it
00:28 and it was something that we'd been chatting about in the background as a selection panel
00:33 with the coaches as well and with Pat just around who, if you were going to re-jig at what some of
00:39 the potential options were. Clearly he wants to do it but it's selfless that someone who's had
00:43 such success in one position or a couple of positions in the middle order is open and
00:47 willing and hungry to go and have a crack at something new and something different, which
00:51 provides that opportunity to slot Cam into a position where he's had so much success at first
00:58 class level and we think ultimately is a great spot for him to be in the test team. The decision
01:03 to get Cam into the team was around we want our best six batters playing and as it currently
01:09 stands the panel sees Matt Renshaw as our next best batsman.