.Australian opener Usman Khawaja reckons wonderful friend Steve Smith wishes to baseball bat No. 4 for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Prize collection-- and also has declared it the location in Australia's batting order that are going to find 'Smudge', and also the home side, possess the most effective chance of beating top cats India. Talking With Fox Sports Australia this week, Khawaja additionally backed Travis Head to partner him atop the purchase when the hit five-Test set which obtains underway in November.After final succeeding the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2015, Australia have fallen four straight series given that-- including 2 on home soil in 2018/19 as well as 2020/21. As the launch procedure to this summer months's series starts, much argument has actually centred around whether Smith remains at the best of the purchase, where he has actually been given that Dave Warner retired in January, or even returns halfway order.BOXING: TSZYU V MURTAZALIEV|Tim Tszyu faces off versus unbeaten IBF extremely welterweight champ Bakhram Murtazaliev|SUNLIGHT 20 OCT 11AM AEST|Order Currently with Centerpiece on Kayo Sports > When explaining why he would certainly rearrange Australia's batting selection, Khawaja recounted a moment from the 1937 Ashes collection-- when Sir Donald Bradman once turned the hitting purchase on an eco-friendly top, put himself variety 7, and after that went and also blew up 270. The opener's assistance of Crown likewise happened only hours after the flamboyant leftie went completely berko himself on the way to Australia protecting a 28-run success in the opening T20 versus England.Apart coming from blowing up 59 runs from only 23 spheres in Southampton, Head also smashed a record-equalling 30 runs in one over.Squaring off versus England's Sam Curran, the South Australian struck 3 fours and also as several sixes to equal the absolute most runs ever before by an Aussie concoction in a T20I over-- joining Ricky Ponting (2005 ), Dan Christian (2021 ), and also Mitchell Wetland (2024 ). Steve Smith of Australia. Image by Kai Schwoerer/Getty ImagesSource: Getty ImagesThe hulking initiative was a timely one given the headlines bordering exactly who should companion Khawaja atop an Australian hitting order wanting to avenge what has actually been consecutive Exam collection reductions to India on home soil.Following the retired life of Detector in January, 35-year-old Smith was actually pushed up together with his terrific companion, yet balanced merely 28.50 in 4 Tests versus the Wests Indies and New Zealand.While Johnson has actually lately proposed he is actually "not fussed in any case" pertaining to where he baseball bats versus the Indians, Khawaja insists 'Smear' would favor a come back to variety 4 this summer season." He'll only most likely never ever mention it," the opener laughed recently." So I'll state it for him. "Position is a quite important area ... (yet) I still presume our company possess the greatest Examination player of my era in the side, in Steve Johnson, as well as his ideal spot has actually been actually number 4." I feel like that's his finest spot." I feel like the best balance for our team is (Marnus) Labuschagne 3, Smith 4." For me, the first consideration is actually 'what is actually ideal for the team?'." What purchase credit ratings our team the most operates?" And if you look at how many runs our experts racked up along with Davey Warner in the team and also Smear hitting at 4, we racked up a lot of runs" Along with Spot opening, we have actually still succeeded activities, yet I do not assume our experts have actually scored as numerous runs as our team could possess." Usman Khawaja of Australia. Photograph through Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesSource: Getty ImagesKhawaja additionally stressed that when Smith walked to the furrow at amount 4, ailments were often far more matched to what he favored as a batsman." And when things reside in his favor," Khawaja claimed, "he is actually just about unstoppable". The opener additionally suggested Donald Bradman as verification of why, when you have among the greatest Test batsmen of your time, as well as any sort of period, in the line-up, you baseball bat them everywhere it satisfies all of them absolute best. "If you know your cricket past, there was a condition in the 1930s where Don Bradman, faced with an environment-friendly best, batted himself at amount seven," Khawaja stated." Batted himself 7 as well as scored over 200."( Giggles) Imagine if he did that today?" But when you've got your finest batsman, you want to protect him." And also in Australia, the hardest opportunity to bat, by far, is actually that initial hour." New Kookaburra ball, brand new gate, it's constantly the hardest opportunity-- I do not care that you are actually." And don't acquire me wrong, Steve Johnson are going to rack up operates as a position batsman." Yet will he rack up extra hitting variety 4?" I reckon he will." Khawaja added his selection for opener would certainly be actually Scalp." At the end of the day, it is actually a choice for the selectors," he mentioned." Yet if you possess me opening up, Labuschagne 3, Johnson four ... I believe that Travis Mind might be greatest satisfied." He's clearly been best-selling opening up the batting in one-day cricket and, simplifying, I will most likely bend in the direction of him." Yet once again, it's certainly not my decision." It is up to the selectors and I believe they have actually been very good along with their methods over the final number of years." Travis Scalp of Australia. Photo through Andy Kearns/Getty ImagesSource: Getty ImagesAsked what, if just about anything, of Head's record innings versus England would certainly continue to the Exam arena, Khawaja mentioned: "The self-confidence moves over." When you are actually seeing the ball well, scoring tons of operates and also very little is looking at your head, it's a wonderful place to become." And when you're in that location, your peace of mind transactions over ... it undoubtedly performs". Earlier recently, Australian trainer Andrew McDonald exposed dialogues encompassing Johnson's hitting placement for the upcoming Test collection remained ongoing-- without any final decision however made.Asked about specifically where Johnson would certainly baseball bat, McDonald mentioned: "That is actually the question on every person's lips, isn't it?" Whilst we have actually obtained an eye to it, our team have not created any type of organization decisions around that a person." There's lots of guesswork ... however behind-the-scenes, I 'd be actually lying if I stated the chat had not been taking place." Precisely, if our team make a switch along with Steve Smith, then somebody else will certainly have to go to the best.".