Yeah but it’s a rubbish number to be happy with imho. If played at six or seven as a bloke bowling a full ten overs then fair enough but I don’t think he’s really up to that without omitting one of the three front line quicks, which would be a terribad move
Finch, Warner, Khawaja, Labu then as top 4
Think he has it in him to be a great number 5. Plus he will know exactly what he needs to do at that position and I think he will like that. Either he reconstructs the innings after a top order collapse or he gets to have fun getting them to a big total.
SMarsh and Labu also average 50 in the last 3 years with a better SR than Smith. Obviously Smith is better. Just thinking about the best utilization of resources given the choices available.
Yes and Smith has played half of his odi cricket below 3 and averaged in the 30s, its not worth compromising a number 3 who averages 55 by 20 runs on average to bring in somoene who averages 50 at 3. As I said this exact process was tried in the world cup and Smith averaged 38 at 4, including the 85 he made in the semis at 3.
Except it was when Khawaja got injured that we lost important matches.
How? We lost to India and South Africa in the knockout and both times khawaja was at 3, Smith Played a good knock In the semis ar 3, that loss was down to both warner and finch not performing and the middle order failing to accelerate in the death.
But it's an entirely reasonable number? across the world, the number 5 position averaged 33 during the 2010s. like, that mid 30's place is the starting point. Individually, guys like Morgan & Shakib are smack bang on 35 in that time. if he performs like he has previously in OD cricket, and due to injury and weird selection, it's been a long time since those performances, his average of 35 is perfectly fine for that position, participially given he'd bowling too. i don't think it's an issue at all.
Oh if you think that he would average 30 odd at #5, then of course you should be against it. I don't think that will happen though.
half of that half is from when he was a baby and sucked batting in the lower order. there's no reason to assume he would suck today, however, it'd a silly thing to try
I dont think he would average 30, more sayibg that compromising Smith down the order when he averages 55 at 3 just isint worth it, no matter who takes the 3 spot, plus as spikey pointed out marsh's average if 35 is bog standard for an odi #5, nothing wrong with it.
I dont think there is a lack of talent in Australia domestic cricket it just a selection problem
