Australian opener David Warner announced retirement from Test cricket. Steve Smith has been chosen as the new opener for the upcoming West Indies series. Many people were surprised to take the challenge of opening at such a time of career.

Discussions have started since Warner announced his retirement, who will open the test for Australia? The names of Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft, and Matt Renshaw who have done well in opening in domestic cricket came up for discussion. Apart from this, there was talk of all-rounder Cameron Green playing in the opening. Steve Smith expressed his desire to play in the opener himself. Finally, Smith has been given the responsibility of opening.

Smith has revealed the reason for wanting to play in the opening. Speaking to the commentator during the Sydney Sixers' game against the Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League (BBL), he spoke about the opening game. "Since I guess Marnus [Labuschagne] has been playing at No. 3, I've been waiting to bat for quite a long period of time and I don't really like waiting to bat. So I thought, why don't I put my hand up and have a crack up top and that way you can get Cameron Green in and you're playing your six best batters so hopefully it works out.”

"I am excited. I like facing the newer ball. I think if you look back to the 2019 Ashes I was in pretty early most of the time there where I was facing the new ball. I batted No. 3 for a number of years as well and was in early and did pretty well against the new ball so it's nothing new or foreign to me. You know I enjoy getting in there and getting amongst it and yeah, I'm looking forward to that challenge."

The first match of the two-match Test series between Australia and West Indies will be played in Adelaide on January 17. The era of opener Smith will begin with this match.