.Australian opener Usman Khawaja reckons great buddy Steve Smith would like to baseball bat No. 4 for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series-- and has actually proclaimed it the spot in Australia's hitting order that are going to see 'Spot', and also the home side, possess the most ideal odds of beating top cats India. Talking To Fox Athletics Australia recently, Khawaja also backed Travis Head to companion him atop the order when the blockbuster five-Test collection which gets underway in November.After last winning the Border-Gavaskar Prize in 2015, Australia have actually dropped 4 straight set considering that-- including two on home soil in 2018/19 as well as 2020/21. As the countdown to this summer months's set begins, a lot discussion has centred around whether Johnson remains at the best of the order, where he has actually been since Dave Detector retired in January, or even moves back halfway order.BOXING: TSZYU V MURTAZALIEV|Tim Tszyu challenges versus undefeated IBF extremely welterweight champ Bakhram Murtazaliev|SUN twenty OCT 11AM AEST|Purchase Currently with Centerpiece on Kayo Sports > When discussing why he will reshuffle Australia's batting line-up, Khawaja ran through a moment coming from the 1937 Ashes series-- when Sir Donald Bradman famously flipped the hitting purchase on an eco-friendly leading, placed himself amount seven, and after that went and also blasted 270. The opener's support of Crown additionally came simply hours after the flamboyant leftie went completely berko himself heading to Australia getting a 28-run success in the opening T20 against England.Apart coming from blasting 59 fly only 23 rounds in Southampton, Crown also smashed a record-equalling 30 runs in one over.Squaring off against England's Sam Curran, the South Australian struck 3 fours and also as many sixes to equal the most operates ever by an Aussie concoction in a T20I over-- joining Ricky Ponting (2005 ), Dan Christian (2021 ), as well as Mitchell Marsh (2024 ). Steve Smith of Australia. Picture by Kai Schwoerer/Getty ImagesSource: Getty ImagesThe hulking initiative was a prompt one given the headlines encompassing exactly who need to companion Khawaja atop an Australian batting purchase looking to retaliate what has been consecutive Exam set losses to India on home soil.Following the retirement of Detector in January, 35-year-old Smith was raised together with his fantastic friend, yet balanced just 28.50 in four Tests versus the Wests Indies and New Zealand.While Johnson has actually lately suggested he is actually "not fussed in either case" pertaining to where he bats versus the Indians, Khawaja insists 'Smear' will choose a go back to number four this summer." He'll only possibly never ever claim it," the opener giggled recently." So I'll state it for him. "Opening is a very necessary area ... (yet) I still believe we have the very best Test player of my age in the edge, in Steve Smith, as well as his absolute best location has been number 4." I think that that's his best area." I think that the greatest balance for our staff is actually (Marnus) Labuschagne 3, Johnson 4." For me, the primary consideration is actually 'what is actually greatest for the group?'." What purchase credit ratings our team the absolute most operates?" And if you check out the amount of runs we racked up with Davey Warner in the group and Smear batting at four, our experts scored a lot of operates" Along with Spot opening, we've still won video games, however I don't believe our company've scored as lots of operates as we can possess." Usman Khawaja of Australia. Image through Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesSource: Getty ImagesKhawaja likewise pressured that when Johnson strolled to the crease at number four, disorders were actually normally far more suited to what he preferred as a batsman." And also when factors reside in his favour," Khawaja claimed, "he is actually almost easy". The opener likewise indicated Sir Donald Bradman as proof of why, when you possess among the greatest Exam batsmen of your time, and any kind of age, in the selection, you baseball bat all of them anywhere it satisfies all of them greatest. "If you recognize your cricket past history, there was actually a scenario in the 1930s where Don Bradman, faced with an eco-friendly best, batted himself at amount seven," Khawaja recaped." Batted themself 7 and slashed over 200."( Has A Good Laugh) Imagine if he did that right now?" But when you've obtained your ideal batsman, you intend to defend him." And in Australia, the hardest opportunity to baseball bat, without a doubt, is that first hour." New Kookaburra round, brand new wicket, it's consistently the hardest time-- I uncommitted who you are actually." And do not get me wrong, Steve Smith will definitely rack up runs as a position batsman." However will he record more batting number four?" I reckon he will." Khawaja incorporated his selection for opener would certainly be actually Scalp." In the end of the day, it is actually a selection for the selectors," he stated." Yet if you possess me opening up, Labuschagne three, Johnson four ... I feel like Travis Mind might be absolute best matched." He is actually obviously been actually very successful opening the batting in one-day cricket and also, simplifying, I will possibly lean towards him." However once more, it's certainly not my selection." It depends on the selectors as well as I believe they have been actually great along with their procedures over the final couple of years." Travis Head of Australia. Image through Andy Kearns/Getty ImagesSource: Getty ImagesAsked what, if just about anything, of Head's report innings versus England would continue to the Examination field, Khawaja stated: "The assurance transfers over." When you're finding the round effectively, scoring great deals of runs and not much is going through your head, it's a fantastic location to be." And also when you remain in that area, your self-confidence transactions over ... it most definitely carries out". Previously this week, Australian trainer Andrew McDonald revealed discussions bordering Johnson's hitting posture for the upcoming Test series remained recurring-- with no decision however made.Asked about specifically where Smith would baseball bat, McDonald said: "That's the inquiry on everyone's lips, isn't it?" Whilst we have actually acquired an eye to it, our experts have not created any firm decisions around that people." There's a lot of speculation ... yet behind-the-scenes, I 'd be lying if I mentioned the discussion had not been occurring." Precisely, if our experts create a change with Steve Smith, after that other people will certainly need to go to the leading.".