Australian ace opener Usman Khawaja has shared his view to see Smith bat at number 4, not as an opener. Steve Smith has been opening the Australian innings since the retirement of David Warner in Test Cricket.

Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith
However, Smith has failed to capitalise his chances at the top of the order, scoring only 171 runs at a dismal average of only 28.50. Barring the unbeaten 91* against the West Indies, he remained in the dark side in the other innings. He opened up for Australia in four matches, where Australia won in the three Tests including a whitewash to New Zealand by 2-0.

Speaking to Fox Cricket about Smith's opening conundrum in Tests, Khawaja preferred the ace batter to be Australia's No. 4.

"I’m not sure what the top six is going to be this summer. I’ve always loved Steve Smith batting at No. 4, I haven’t shied away from that. I love seeing him come in at No. 4 … you get two wickets, and who do you get walking in? The best batsman in the world. When you put him up to open, I feel like you’re kind of giving them a chance to get at him early," the opener said.

While Smith is ready to bat wherever the team management wants him to.

“I’ll bat wherever they want me to. I’m not thinking about the opening slot. I am comfortable batting anywhere,” Steve Smith told Fox Cricket. Australia will next compete against India in the five-match Test series.

Steve Smith is Australia's fourth highest run-getter in Test Cricket with 9,685 runs at a spectacular average of 56.97, including 32 Test hundreds to his name.

Australia's Test summer will commence from November 22 with the blockbuster Test series between Australia and India in the Border-Gavasker Trophy.