New South Wales would be willing to allow Steve Smith to open the batting in next summer’s Sheffield Shield to aid preparations for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign against India.
Smith has averaged 28.50 since reinventing himself as an opener following David Warner’s Test retirement, passing 12 just twice in eight knocks up the order. The right-hander compiled 51 runs at 12.75 during the recent Test series against the Black Caps, statistically the worst performance by an Australian opener in New Zealand in 24 years.
Australia does not have another Test match scheduled until next season’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign against India on home soil, which gets underway in late November. While veteran spinner Nathan Lyon is preparing for a stint with Lancashire in the County Championship, Australia’s pace bowlers have no red-ball commitments scheduled over the winter break, instead competing in the Indian Premier League and T20 World Cup.
However, there is a window between September’s white-ball tour of England and November’s ODI series against Pakistan where Australia’s Test stars could be available to play Sheffield Shield cricket. It means the Blues, who finished third in the Sheffield Shield standings this summer, could be bolstered by the return of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Lyon and Smith for a handful of red-ball matches in October, a prospect that excites NSW coach Greg Shipperd.
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“I have noticed the little window,” Shipperd told Fox Cricket.
“I have not coached those guys before in red-ball cricket. It would be really exciting for the competition and the NSW Blues to have access (to Australia’s Test players) for any games.
“There will be an opportunity for our Australian reps to play some games for their state, which would be great.”
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Smith has not played a Sheffield Shield match since 2021, but the first-class competition could give him some valuable match experience against the swinging Kookaburra before the five-Test campaign against India.
“I’m sure that’s a conversation we’ll have,” Shipperd continued.
“We’ll need to speak to Steve obviously, and co-operate with the Australian cricket team.
“There would be no issue with us finding the right solution for him, whatever that is at that time.
“We’ll flex into that.”
Shipperd, who has coached Smith in the Big Bash League with the Sydney Sixers, is adamant the 34-year-old will succeed as a Test opener.
“I think over time he will do really well in that position,” Shipperd said.
“I guess there will be lots of conversations around whether that circumstance stays, but that’s for the Australian coach to talk about.
“He will make any position successful over a period of time, so I’ve got no concern about where he bats.
“He’s just a terrific person to have in the team, contributing in performance but also strategically.
“He’s a strong giver around any group he’s involved with.”
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