Steve Smith will open the batting for Australia against West Indies in the first Test starting January 17 in Adelaide. He will take David Warner's spot following his retirement.
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Impressive Test record against WI
In seven Test matches against the Windies, Smith has scored 752 runs at an average of 150.40, including three centuries and two fifties.
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Smith's 200* against WI in Perth
Smith's best Test score against the West Indies came in 2022 when he hammered an unbeaten 200 in Perth.
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Astronomical home and away average
At home, Smith averages 156.33 against the West Indies. While on WI soil, he averages 141.50. He has hammered 469 runs at home against WI while scoring 283 runs in two away Tests.
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Fifth-highest Test average against WI
Smith owns the fifth-best batting average in Tests against West Indies. However among batters with 700-plus Test runs against the Windies, Smith's average of 150.40 is the highest.
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New opening partnership
With David Warner's retirement, Smith will open alongside Usman Khawaja, allowing Cameron Green to bat at number four. It will allow Australia to play their six best batters.
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Nearing 10,000 runs
Currently, Smith is the fourth-highest run-scorer in Test cricket for Australia with 9,514 runs. He is 486 runs away from reaching the 10,000-run mark.