.Australian opener Usman Khawaja reckons terrific friend Steve Johnson intends to baseball bat No. 4 for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy set-- and also has actually stated it the place in Australia's batting purchase that are going to find 'Smudge', and also the home side, possess the very best chance of defeating heavyweights India. Consulting With Fox Athletics Australia this week, Khawaja likewise backed Travis Scalp to partner him atop the order when the runaway success five-Test collection which gets underway in November.After final succeeding the Border-Gavaskar Prize in 2015, Australia have gone down four straight set considering that-- including two on home ground in 2018/19 as well as 2020/21. As the countdown to this summer's collection begins, much discussion has actually centred around whether Smith remains at the best of the purchase, where he has been considering that Dave Warner resigned in January, or returns halfway order.BOXING: TSZYU V MURTAZALIEV|Tim Tszyu challenges versus unbeaten IBF extremely welterweight champ Bakhram Murtazaliev|SUNSHINE 20 OCT 11AM AEST|Purchase Now along with Centerpiece on Kayo Athletics > When detailing why he would certainly reshuffle Australia's batting line-up, Khawaja ran through a moment coming from the 1937 Ashes collection-- when Donald Bradman famously turned the hitting purchase on an environment-friendly best, placed themself amount 7, and then went and blew up 270. The opener's help of Crown also came just hours after the flamboyant leftie went definitely berko themself heading to Australia getting a 28-run triumph in the opening T20 versus England.Apart coming from blasting 59 runs from simply 23 balls in Southampton, Head additionally smashed a record-equalling 30 operates in one over.Squaring off against England's Sam Curran, the South Australian attacked 3 fours and also as lots of sixes to amount to the best runs ever by an Aussie batter in a T20I over-- signing up with Ricky Ponting (2005 ), Dan Religious (2021 ), as well as Mitchell Meadow Bright (2024 ). Steve Smith of Australia. Picture by Kai Schwoerer/Getty ImagesSource: Getty ImagesThe hulking effort was actually a quick one provided the headings encompassing specifically who ought to partner Khawaja atop an Australian hitting purchase hoping to avenge what has actually been consecutive Examination set reductions to India on home soil.Following the retirement of Detector in January, 35-year-old Johnson was actually pushed up together with his terrific friend, however averaged simply 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 in either case" regarding where he bats against the Indians, Khawaja firmly insists 'Smear' would certainly like a return to number 4 this summer." He'll just possibly never ever claim it," the opener giggled recently." So I'll claim it for him. "Position is actually an extremely vital spot ... (however) I still presume our team have the greatest Examination player of my age in the edge, in Steve Smith, as well as his best location has actually been actually variety 4." I think that that's his greatest spot." I believe that the very best balance for our group is actually (Marnus) Labuschagne 3, Smith 4." For me, the first point to consider is 'what is actually finest for the team?'." What order scores us the best operates?" And if you consider how many runs our experts racked up with Davey Warner in the staff and Smudge hitting at 4, our team scored a great deal of runs" Along with Smear opening, our company have actually still won games, however I do not assume our experts have actually scored as many operates as our company could possibly've." Usman Khawaja of Australia. Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesSource: Getty ImagesKhawaja likewise stressed that when Smith strolled to the furrow at variety four, disorders were actually typically far more satisfied to what he liked as a batsman." And when points are in his favour," Khawaja claimed, "he's practically easy". The opener likewise suggested Sir Donald Bradman as proof of why, when you possess one of the best Exam batsmen of your time, as well as any period, in the selection, you bat them any place it fits all of them absolute best. "If you understand your cricket record, there was actually a situation in the 1930s where Don Bradman, faced with an eco-friendly best, batted themself at variety 7," Khawaja recounted." Batted himself seven as well as scored over 200."( Has A Good Laugh) Picture if he carried out that now?" But when you've obtained your ideal batsman, you intend to shield him." And also in Australia, the hardest opportunity to bat, easily, is that first hr." New Kookaburra sphere, new arch, it is actually constantly the hardest time-- I do not care that you are actually." And do not receive me wrong, Steve Johnson will certainly rack up runs as a position batsman." However will he rack up even more batting number 4?" I reckon he will." Khawaja incorporated his selection for opener would certainly be Head." At the end of the time, it's a decision for the selectors," he stated." However if you have me opening up, Labuschagne 3, Smith 4 ... I think that Travis Head might be absolute best fit." He's definitely been very successful opening up the hitting in one-day cricket as well as, breaking it down, I will most likely pitch in the direction of him." However once more, it's not my choice." It is up to the selectors and I think they have been good with their methods over the final couple of years." Travis Head of Australia. Photo by Andy Kearns/Getty ImagesSource: Getty ImagesAsked what, if everything, of Head's report innings against England would carry over to the Exam stadium, Khawaja claimed: "The confidence moves over." When you are actually observing the ball effectively, scoring great deals of runs and also very little is undergoing your head, it is actually an excellent area to become." As well as when you're in that place, your assurance moves over ... it most definitely carries out". Previously this week, Australian instructor Andrew McDonald showed discussions encompassing Smith's batting placement for the upcoming Examination set remained ongoing-- with no decision however made.Asked regarding precisely where Smith will bat, McDonald mentioned: "That is actually the concern on every person's lips, isn't it?" Whilst we have actually obtained an eye to it, our team haven't made any agency choices around that." There is actually loads of speculation ... yet behind-the-scenes, I 'd be actually lying if I claimed the talk wasn't happening." Plainly, if our team help make a shift with Steve Smith, after that somebody else will definitely have to go to the best.".