.Australian opener Usman Khawaja reckons wonderful friend Steve Smith would like to baseball bat No. 4 for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Prize series-- and has stated it the area in Australia's hitting order that will certainly view 'Smear', and the home edge, possess the very best chance of defeating top cats India. Speaking To Fox Athletics Australia this week, Khawaja likewise supported Travis Scalp to companion him atop the purchase when the runaway success five-Test set which obtains underway in November.After final succeeding the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2015, Australia have gone down four straight collection considering that-- featuring two on home dirt in 2018/19 and also 2020/21. As the countdown to this summer season's series begins, much debate has centred around whether Johnson stays at the leading of the order, where he has actually been due to the fact that Dave Warner retired in January, or moves back to the middle order.BOXING: TSZYU V MURTAZALIEV|Tim Tszyu takes on versus undefeated IBF incredibly welterweight champ Bakhram Murtazaliev|SUNLIGHT twenty OCT 11AM AEST|Purchase Now along with Main Event on Kayo Athletics > When detailing why he would reshuffle Australia's hitting selection, Khawaja recaped a second from the 1937 Ashes series-- when Mam Donald Bradman notoriously flipped the batting purchase on an eco-friendly top, placed themself variety 7, and afterwards went and blasted 270. The opener's assistance of Crown additionally happened only hours after the swashbuckling leftie went definitely berko himself heading to Australia protecting a 28-run success in the position T20 versus England.Apart from blowing up 59 runs from simply 23 rounds in Southampton, Crown likewise pounded a record-equalling 30 runs in one over.Squaring off versus England's Sam Curran, the South Australian struck 3 fours and as several sixes to amount to the most operates ever by an Aussie concoction in a T20I over-- signing up with Ricky Ponting (2005 ), Dan Religious (2021 ), and also Mitchell Marsh (2024 ). Steve Johnson of Australia. Photograph through Kai Schwoerer/Getty ImagesSource: Getty ImagesThe hulking effort was a quick one given the headings surrounding precisely that should partner Khawaja atop an Australian hitting order trying to avenge what has actually been actually consecutive Test collection losses to India on home soil.Following the retirement of Detector in January, 35-year-old Smith was raised along with his great companion, however averaged merely 28.50 in 4 Examinations against the Wests Indies as well as New Zealand.While Johnson has actually lately advised he is actually "not fussed regardless" relating to where he bats against the Indians, Khawaja urges 'Spot' will like a go back to number 4 this summer." He'll merely possibly certainly never state it," the opener giggled this week." So I'll state it for him. "Position is actually a very crucial spot ... (but) I still assume we have the most ideal Test gamer of my era in the side, in Steve Johnson, and also his absolute best location has actually been actually number 4." I seem like that's his ideal location." I feel like the very best equilibrium for our staff is actually (Marnus) Labuschagne 3, Smith 4." For me, the top factor is actually 'what is actually absolute best for the crew?'." What order credit ratings us the most operates?" As well as if you look at how many runs our experts scored along with Davey Warner in the crew and also Smear batting at four, our team scored a ton of operates" Along with Smudge position, our experts've still won video games, but I don't presume our experts have actually scored as a lot of operates as our team might possess." Usman Khawaja of Australia. Image through Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesSource: Getty ImagesKhawaja likewise worried that when Johnson strolled to the crease at number 4, problems were generally far more fit to what he favored as a batsman." As well as when factors reside in his favour," Khawaja mentioned, "he is actually virtually unstoppable". The opener additionally pointed to Sir Donald Bradman as evidence of why, when you possess among the best Exam batsmen of your period, as well as any period, in the selection, you baseball bat them wherever it matches them absolute best. "If you know your cricket history, there was actually a scenario in the 1930s where Don Bradman, dealt with a green leading, batted themself at number 7," Khawaja ran through." Batted himself seven as well as scored over 200."( Chuckles) Imagine if he performed that today?" However when you've acquired your finest batsman, you wish to defend him." And also in Australia, the hardest opportunity to baseball bat, without a doubt, is that very first hour." New Kookaburra ball, brand-new arch, it's regularly the hardest time-- I don't care who you are actually." As well as don't acquire me incorrect, Steve Johnson will definitely rack up runs as a position batsman." Yet will he rack up a lot more hitting number four?" I reckon he will." Khawaja included his selection for opener would certainly be actually Head." At the end of the day, it is actually a decision for the selectors," he said." Yet if you have me opening up, Labuschagne 3, Smith 4 ... I feel like Travis Head might be greatest satisfied." He's undoubtedly been actually best-selling opening up the batting in one-day cricket and, breaking it down, I will perhaps bend in the direction of him." Yet again, it is actually not my decision." It falls to the selectors as well as I think they have been excellent along with their processes over the final couple of years." Travis Head of Australia. Photograph through Andy Kearns/Getty ImagesSource: Getty ImagesAsked what, if just about anything, of Head's record innings against England would continue to the Test arena, Khawaja mentioned: "The self-confidence transactions over." When you're viewing the ball well, scoring lots of operates and not much is experiencing your head, it's a fantastic location to be." And also when you reside in that place, your self-confidence transactions over ... it most definitely performs". Previously today, Australian instructor Andrew McDonald showed conversations bordering Smith's batting posture for the upcoming Test series stayed continuous-- without decision however made.Asked about specifically where Smith will baseball bat, McDonald claimed: "That's the question on everybody's lips, isn't it?" Whilst our experts've acquired an eye to it, we have not made any type of agency choices around that one." There's plenty of hunch ... but in the background, I will be actually existing if I said the talk had not been occurring." Plainly, if we produce a switch with Steve Johnson, after that somebody else will have to go to the top.".