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Smith at 3? Huge change for Australia's Ashes line-up
SEN • October 7th, 2025 12:54 pm
When Bharat Sundaresan suggested to Steve Smith that he could be elevated to No 3 for the Ashes with Cam Green coming in at 4, the cricket expert “thought he would jump and strangle me”, but could it become a reality?
Australia’s batting order is the topic of much debate with just over six weeks to go before the opening test at Optus Stadium, and a reordering of Green and Smith could be the ideal scenario for the hosts.
In the aftermath of the World test Championship defeat at Lord’s which saw Marnus Labuschagne dropped in favour of Sam Konstas for the Caribbean tour, much has been said of the opening partnership.
But SEN’s Adam White believes it’s a change at 3 and 4 that is needed.
“I have a strong feeling that Cam Green will bat at 4 this summer with Steve Smith in at 3,” White said on SEN.
Sundaresan liked the idea.
“Honestly, I think it’s the ideal scenario for Australia,” he said. “It comes down to whether Steve Smith will budge.
“I thought he would jump and strangle me he was that annoyed when I suggested No 3 to him, but maybe that will change.
“(Cam) is coming back from injury so if you drop him one position it just makes more sense for Green.
“If that’s the role he must play going forward, 4 seems more ideal.
“Smith has success at 3 as well so it would work well. Then Marnus or whoever comes in as opener.
“Cam has looked in great rhythm coming in. He looks like everything is functioning well given the issues he has had over the years.”
Australia is set for a huge summer of cricket with an ODI series against India scheduled in the weeks leading into the Ashes, which get underway on November 21.
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg said he did not envy the job selectors have ahead of them.
With just three Shield matches left to stake their claim for a spot in the XI, time is of the essence for Ashes hopefuls.
“I was really pleased to see Usman, Renshaw and Marnus made a big 100, I was so pleased to see them get some runs and put themselves in form,” Greenberg told SENQ Breakfast.
“The way they batted and their intent will impress selectors. That’s an important thing. There’s going to be a lot of interest in the next Shield games and the ODIs.
“Selectors will be looking to manage players properly ahead of the Ashes, make sure they’re playing the right format, which is what we’re mainly focused on at the back end of the summer to make sure we retain the Ashes.
“We have a big contest on our hands, the Poms are sending a really strong team, strong in a variety of areas.”
SEN will live stream all five Tests of the Ashes with Stuart broad joining our call team.
