Matt Renshaw and Cameron Green return as Australia name squad for Adelaide Test vs West Indies

“Steve’s motivated and energized and keen to do it. 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 it. 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 open and willing and hungry to go and have a crack at something new and something different,” Bailey said.

Smith’s moves up the order means that Cameron Green will also return to the XI after having lost his position during last year’s Ashes Series in England. Bailey also acknowledged that and said that the opportunity to bat at number 4 is one which they believe Green will relish since he’s had success in that position at the first-class level.

“It provides that opportunity to slot Cam into a position where he’s had so much success at first-class level and we think ultimately, is a great spot for him to be in the Test team,” he said.

Meanwhile, Renshaw managed to emerge victorious in what was a three-way battle, with Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris being the other two. While statistics in the Sheffield Shield are in favour of Bancroft, Bailey believes that Renshaw is the next-best batter in Australia at the moment. “I think ultimately you can mount statistically some strong cases for several players. As it currently stands, the panel sees Matt Renshaw is our next-best batter. We’ve gone back 18 months or so and I think if you take into account all first-class cricket I think across that time, those guys have played Shield cricket, some county cricket, some Australia A cricket, and PM’s XI games. Matthew’s played a couple of Tests in Australia and India across that period and his numbers stack up as well as anyone’s across that time,” he said.

Pace Trioka rested for ODIs

The squad for the 3-match ODI series was also named with Steve Smith chosen as the captain in the absence of Pat Cummins, who has been rested. Cummins’ pace partners, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have also been rested in what is nothing but workload management. Also rested is Mitchell Marsh while Marcus Stoinis, who was part of the triumphant World Cup squad, has been dropped following a poor run of form.

Travis Head will serve as the vice-captain of the squad which also sees the return of Jhye Richardson whose career has been severely hampered by injuries. Youngsters like Lance Morris, Aaron Hardie, Nathan Ellis and Matt Short have also cut the series which will kick off on February 2, a couple of days after the Test series culminates.