Smith’s move to opener not an experiment as Green, Renshaw return to Test squad

“First and foremost we hold Cameron in very high regard. The way the rest of that batting order is functioning left us feeling we have someone who we think is pretty talented who potentially was going to find it hard to get any Test cricket in the next 12 months or so,” Bailey said.

The declaration by Smith of wanting to move up the order created an opportunity to slot Green into the team. The selection panel of Bailey, coach Andrew McDonald and Tony Dodemaide have been discussing with captain Pat Cummins how best to “rejig” the side.

“Steve’s obviously motivated and energised and keen to do it,” Bailey said.

“There were plenty within the team who were pretty keen to go on record and say that they weren’t keen to do it. So it was refreshing that Steve had come forward and said he wanted to.”

Bailey confirmed that the addition of Renshaw, 27, to the squad makes him Australia’s current batsman in waiting ahead of Cameron Bancroft or Marcus Harris, both aged 31. With Usman Khawaja aged 37, Australia will be looking for another opening batsman in the next year or so, although the veteran left-hander has given no indication of retiring any time soon.

“We’ve gone back 18 months or so and taken into account all first class cricket,” Bailey said. “Across that time those guys have played Shield cricket, some county cricket, Australia A and PM’s XI cricket. Matthew’s also played a couple of Tests in Australia and in India, and his numbers stack up as well as anyone’s across that time.”

Bailey said Bancroft and Harris were still under consideration along with Aaron Hardie, 25, and Nathan McSweeney, 24. Hardie has been named in Australia’s one-day squad to play the West Indies next month.

On pure statistics Bancroft can consider himself unlucky, having dominated the Sheffield Shield for the last season and a half. His 1457 runs at 58 with six centuries is way beyond anyone else in the competition.

As a Test opening batsman Renshaw has the best record of the trio. He has the only Test century from the 38 Tests they have played between them – 184 against Pakistan in 2017 – and his average of 33 at the top of the order compares favourably with Harris and Bancroft in the mid-20s.

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The selectors also named a revamped one-day squad to play the West Indies in February to be captained by Smith. West Australian fast bowler Lance Morris has been included for what is expected to be his international debut.

Mitch Marsh, Mitch Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins will be rested following the Test Series against Pakistan and the West Indies. Hardie, Matt Short, Jhye Richardson and Nathan Ellis return to the squad. Josh Inglis returns as Australia’s white ball wicketkeeper.

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