Mike Hussey Advocates for Steve Smith at No. 3 in Australias Test Lineup

New Delhi, November 11 (Daily Kiran) : Australian team advisor Mike Hussey has proposed that Travis Head should return to the middle order while Steve Smith is promoted to the No. 3 batting position. Hussey believes this adjustment would be beneficial for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand, with Alex Carey ideally batting at No. 7.

Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from the Test squad for the second time in 17 months. Selection committee chairman George Bailey confirmed that Labuschagne will not retain his position for the first match of the series, which begins on December 9 in Perth.

Smith’s return could mark a significant change for the team. He missed the decisive match against South Africa in Cape Town due to a neck injury. After the next round of the Sheffield Shield, selectors will finalize the squad for the Test series against New Zealand. They will also discuss whether to retain Cooper Connolly in the team. Hussey is keen for Smith to bat at No. 3, allowing Cameron Green to take the No. 4 spot.

In an interview with Cricket.com.au, Hussey expressed uncertainty about the selectors’ decisions. “In my view, Travis Head should go back to No. 5, Steve Smith at No. 3, Cameron Green at No. 4, Josh Inglis at No. 6, and Alex Carey at No. 7,” he said.

Hussey believes this lineup would create a strong middle order. However, he acknowledged that there are questions surrounding Smith’s preference for batting at No. 3. “If it were up to me, I think this batting order would be ideal. It presents a good opportunity for an opener to join the team,” he added.

Meanwhile, Hussey noted that after playing at No. 6 last summer, he feels Carey is better suited to bat at No. 7. “He performs well with lower-order batsmen, which is no easy task, especially when facing a second new ball,” he explained. “If he has been keeping wickets for a long time, batting at No. 7 gives him a bit of extra comfort.”

Regarding Labuschagne’s exclusion, Hussey stated, “I believe he can certainly make a comeback, but I don’t think it will happen too soon. He just needs to start playing for Queensland again, enjoy his cricket, and get his mental game back to where he can perform at his best.”

The former Australian batsman added that Labuschagne might need to make minor adjustments to his technique, but primarily, it’s about freeing his mind and playing openly. “When he is at his best, he is a world-class player. A break will help him refresh,” Hussey concluded.