Coach coy as burning Smith query remains a mystery

Australian Test coach Andrew McDonald admits he hasn't decided who will open the batting against India this summer.

There's a David Warner-sized hole at the top of the Aussie order and there isn't an obvious replacement for the retired master blaster.

Veteran batter Steve Smith has put his hand up to do the job again, but there's an argument he is more value to the team lower down the order.

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Smith averages a relatively measly 28.50 when opening the batting for Australia. When batting at first or second drop his average skyrockets to more than 60 per knock.

Last summer he scored a 91 not-out against the West Indies but otherwise struggled when stepping up to the top of the order for the first time.

The trouble for McDonald is there aren't many other contenders bashing down the door for selection.

"That's the question on everyone's lips, isn't it?" McDonald told SEN radio this week.

"While we've got an eye to it, we haven't made any firm decisions around that one.

"There's plenty of speculation around that, but in the background I'd be lying if I said that conversation wasn't happening.

"We've already had some chats in Sydney initially around what we're thinking for the summer, and that goes right down to depth bowling and all those hypotheticals and what-ifs that we always go through.

"Clearly, if we make a shift with Steve Smith (back down the order), then someone else will have to go to the top.

"We've seen Cameron Green be really successful at No.4 as well. So that adds layers to the decision making."

Green is considered Smith's long-term replacement at No.4 but is yet to realise his full potential at Test level, averaging only 36.23 from 28 matches in the baggy green.

Left-handed shot maker Travis Head is capable of opening the batting and scores at a rate similar to what Warner was famous for throughout his career.

But putting Head at the top would open a gap at No.5 in the order. Smith or Green could, theoretically, fill that.

McDonald confirmed he and captain Pat Cummins will be the main men in charge of deciding who fills the role come the first Test in Perth on November 22.

Intriguingly, the other Aussie opener - Usman Khawaja - recently poured cold water on the idea of Smith being his top-order partner.

Fast bowling veteran Mitchell Starc, meantime, is more than happy to stay out of it.

"I certainly don't have an idea because I'm not privy to any of those sort of meetings. That certainly sits above my pay grade," Starc told Wide World of Sports in an interview last month.

"Certainly we've seen Smith sit in that No.4 role since Marnus (Labuschagne) has been around, and (he's) been ultra successful there.

"Obviously I don't have any say in the matter so it doesn't concern me at all, but any time you've got Steve Smith in the batting line-up, no matter where he bats, it's always an ultra strong line up with him there.

"I'm sure he and Andrew McDonald and Pat will be in the background working out where he fits into that order, but I'm always excited to see Steve in the line-up no matter where he bats."

In the meantime Australia has a white-ball series against England to focus on.

The first T20I is in the early hours of Thursday morning AEST.