Steve Smith's cricket career as a test opener appears over - he wants to bat back at number four in Australia's five-match series against India this summer

The move is likely to go uncontested because his middle order replacement Cam Green requires back surgery and will be sidelined for six months.

The chair of selectors George Bailey says a reversal makes practical sense.



Smith donned the pads first in four tests and averaged 28 compared to a career average of 56 from 109 caps.

Past openers Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft are possible replacements, alongside New South Wales teenager Sam Konstas who has two centuries in five first-class matches.