Sports News : A 5-match Border-Gavaskar Test series will be played between Australia and India at the end of 2024. The Indian team had succeeded in winning this series on the last 2 tours of Australia and this time they will be eyeing to do this feat for the third time in a row. At the same time, the Australian team has also started its preparations, understanding the importance of this Test series. Meanwhile, legendary former opening batsman Matthew Hayden has given a big advice regarding Steve Smith's batting order, in which according to him, Smith should not be sent to open in the series against India.

Smith is your best player in the middle order

Matthew Hayden advised about Steve Smith's batting order during the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards in Mumbai that by sending him to open the innings you are disturbing the balance of the entire batting order. According to me, Smith should take responsibility in the middle order where his best record is seen. If you see, his average in the middle order is 67 and he has also scored 32 centuries. Smith has not been that successful as an opener so far. I have said earlier that I do not like change much. You put your best player in such a situation that the entire batting lineup is affected. The role of an opening batsman is very important and here those should be given a chance who have fulfilled this responsibility in domestic cricket and have prepared themselves for it.

After Warner's retirement, Smith took over the opening

David Warner retired from this format after playing the last match of the Test series against Pakistan in 2024. After this, Smith took over the responsibility as an opener along with Usman Khawaja. So far, Smith has played as an opener in 8 innings in which he has scored 171 runs at an average of 28.50 and has managed to play only one half-century innings in which his highest score is 91 not out.