Steve Smith flops as opener again as Australia top-order crumbles against New Zealand in Chrchurch Test | Cricket News
Steve Smith’s opening woes continued after Australia’s star batter fell cheaply in their chase against New Zealand in the second Test in Chrchurch on Sunday.
Smith was trapped leg-before for nine Kiwi seamer Matt Henry as Australia set out to chase a 279-run target after bowling the hosts out for 372. Smith was undone the nip-backer as the ball crashed into the top of middle-stump, following his streak of poor displays since moving up to the top of the batting order after David Warner’s retirement.
The 34-year-old had earlier fallen leg-before in the first innings in similar fashion with debutant Ben Sears tailing a delivery in sharply with Smith shouldering arms as the ball thudded the pads. Regarded as the leading Test batter of the modern era, Smith whose overall average stands a shade under 57 for 9665 runs, has struggled to adjust to the new role.
Average debate
Smith’s scores since the West Indies series as an opener read: 12, 11, 6, 91*, 31, 0, 11 and 9 — averaging 28.50 for 171 runs.
Matt Henry 🔥 His 8th wicket of the match. Follow play LIVE in NZ with @TVNZ+ and DUKE. #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/l1B1wd1CK1
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 10, 2024
After his first Test against West Indies in Adelaide did not go according to plans, Smith carried the bat with an unbeaten 91 during Australia’s defeat to the same opposition in Brisbane. While his move to open was questioned pundits, Smith then responded stating his average after four outings.
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“There was a lot of commentary around I’d failed in two or three innings or whatever it was.
“I had a not out and two low scores. And now I think I’m averaging 60 as an opener.
“I didn’t really read too much into it. It was just another position. I’ve batted against a new ball numerous times coming in early,” Smith had said defending his move.
Smith was at his prolific best batting at number four in his career, amassing 5966 runs in 67 matches at an astounding average of 61.50, laced with 19 centuries and 26 fifties. His century drought has now extended to 21 innings since the Ashes last year. Consequntly, Smith’s vaunted Test average has significantly dropped from 60-plus to 56.97 within a year.
Australia collapsed further in the chase, with Henry and Sears razing the top-order, leaving them reeling at 34 for four before Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head combined for a recovery.
Having lost the first Test last week, New Zealand are targetting their first Test win over Australia at home in 31 years since 1993.
