Steve Smith will open the batting for the first time in his stellar 14-year Test career when Australia face West Indies in their two-Test series starting next week in Adelaide.With the retirement of veteran left-hander David Warner, the 34-year-old Smith will slide up the order, allowing all-rounder Cameron Green to slot into the vacant number four spot.The George Bailey-led selection panel on Wednesday recalled 27-year-old left-handed opener Matthew Renshaw in a 13-man squad which also includes 34-year-old speedster Scott Boland.“For all intents and purposes, this is where Steve wants to stay. One of the things I’m really excited about the change is that I think he’s really motivated and energised and excited about the opportunity, and fingers crossed that can provide some longevity in the format,” Bailey told reporters.“For someone who has achieved as much as he has over such a long period of time across all formats, it’s a challenge or an itch he’d like to scratch and ultimately for us, as a team, it’s something that fits.“It’s selfless that someone who’s had such success in one position or a couple of positions in the middle order, that he’s willing and hungry to have a crack at something different,” he added.
