.Australian opener Usman Khawaja reckons great friend Steve Smith desires to bat No. 4 for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Prize series-- and also has actually announced it the place in Australia's hitting order that are going to observe 'Smear', as well as the home side, possess the most effective possibility of defeating top cats India. Talking To Fox Athletics Australia this week, Khawaja additionally backed Travis Head to companion him atop the purchase when the hit five-Test set which obtains underway in November.After last succeeding the Border-Gavaskar Prize in 2015, Australia have lost 4 straight collection due to the fact that-- including 2 on home dirt in 2018/19 and 2020/21. As the launch procedure to this summer months's set starts, much debate has centred around whether Smith stays at the leading of the order, where he has actually been actually considering that Dave Detector retired in January, or even moves back to the middle order.BOXING: TSZYU V MURTAZALIEV|Tim Tszyu challenges versus undefeated IBF incredibly welterweight champ Bakhram Murtazaliev|SUNSHINE 20 OCT 11AM AEST|Order Right Now along with Centerpiece on Kayo Sports > When describing why he would certainly reshuffle Australia's hitting line-up, Khawaja ran through a moment coming from the 1937 Ashes series-- when Sir Donald Bradman notoriously turned the hitting order on a green top, put themself number 7, and afterwards went and also blasted 270. The opener's support of Head additionally came merely hours after the flamboyant leftie went positively berko himself en route to Australia protecting a 28-run triumph in the position T20 against England.Apart coming from blasting 59 fly just 23 rounds in Southampton, Crown additionally smashed a record-equalling 30 runs in one over.Squaring off versus England's Sam Curran, the South Australian hit 3 fours and also as lots of 6s to equate to one of the most operates ever by an Aussie batter in a T20I over-- joining Ricky Ponting (2005 ), Dan Religious (2021 ), as well as Mitchell Wetland (2024 ). Steve Johnson of Australia. Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty ImagesSource: Getty ImagesThe hulking effort was a well-timed one given the headlines bordering precisely that need to companion Khawaja atop an Australian hitting purchase hoping to vindicate what has actually been actually successive Exam series reductions to India on home soil.Following the retirement life of Warner in January, 35-year-old Johnson was actually pushed up alongside his excellent companion, however averaged merely 28.50 in 4 Tests against the Wests Indies and also New Zealand.While Johnson has actually lately recommended he is "certainly not fussed regardless" concerning where he baseball bats versus the Indians, Khawaja insists 'Smear' would certainly prefer a go back to variety 4 this summertime." He'll just probably never ever say it," the opener giggled recently." So I'll claim it for him. "Opening is actually an extremely crucial area ... (however) I still assume our team possess the most effective Test gamer of my age in the edge, in Steve Johnson, as well as his greatest location has been actually amount four." I feel like that's his best area." I think that the very best harmony for our crew is actually (Marnus) Labuschagne 3, Johnson 4." For me, the top point to consider is actually 'what's greatest for the crew?'." What purchase ratings our team one of the most runs?" And if you consider how many operates we scored along with Davey Warner in the group and also Blemish batting at four, our company racked up a great deal of operates" With Smudge position, our experts've still gained activities, however I do not presume our experts have actually racked up as a lot of runs as our team might possess." Usman Khawaja of Australia. Image by Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesSource: Getty ImagesKhawaja likewise emphasized that when Smith strolled to the crease at amount four, disorders were normally far more matched to what he chose as a batsman." As well as when factors are in his favour," Khawaja claimed, "he is actually just about unstoppable". The opener additionally pointed to Sir Donald Bradman as verification of why, when you have one of the best Test batsmen of your age, and also any time, in the selection, you bat all of them anywhere it matches them best. "If you recognize your cricket history, there was actually a condition in the 1930s where Don Bradman, faced with an environment-friendly best, batted himself at amount 7," Khawaja ran through." Batted himself 7 as well as slashed over 200."( Chuckles) Imagine if he carried out that today?" Yet when you've obtained your absolute best batsman, you would like to secure him." And also in Australia, the hardest opportunity to bat, by far, is actually that very first hr." New Kookaburra ball, brand-new gate, it is actually consistently the hardest opportunity-- I uncommitted that you are actually." And also do not get me wrong, Steve Johnson will certainly score operates as a position batsman." However will he score a lot more batting number four?" I reckon he will." Khawaja incorporated his selection for opener would be Scalp." By the end of the time, it's a decision for the selectors," he said." But if you possess me opening, Labuschagne 3, Johnson 4 ... I think that Travis Mind may be finest matched." He is actually certainly been very successful opening the batting in one-day cricket and, breaking it down, I will possibly pitch in the direction of him." However once again, it's not my choice." It depends on the selectors and I assume they have been actually terrific along with their processes over the last couple of years." Travis Scalp of Australia. Picture by Andy Kearns/Getty ImagesSource: Getty ImagesAsked what, if everything, of Head's record innings versus England would continue to the Test stadium, Khawaja stated: "The self-confidence transactions over." When you're finding the round well, scoring bunches of operates and also very little is going through your head, it is actually a great location to be." And also when you're in that place, your assurance transactions over ... it most definitely performs". Earlier today, Australian train Andrew McDonald exposed discussions encompassing Johnson's hitting position for the upcoming Exam set remained ongoing-- with no final decision but made.Asked regarding precisely where Smith would bat, McDonald pointed out: "That is actually the question on every person's lips, isn't it?" Whilst our company have actually received an eye to it, our company haven't made any type of organization choices around that one." There's loads of supposition ... but behind-the-scenes, I 'd be actually existing if I stated the talk had not been taking place." Accurately, if we make a change with Steve Smith, then other people will need to go to the leading.".