After dropping a bombshell at the end of Day 3, Steve Smith received backing and support from teammate Alex Carey to be Australia's next Test opener.
As David Warner gets ready to hang up the bat following the conclusion of this Test match, many names have emerged as to who could replace one of the nation's best opening batters.
Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris and Matt Renshaw are three names that have emerged to replace Warner in the red-ball format. However, now another player has put his hand up to open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja.
In a bombshell interview with ABC Grandstand after the day's play, Steve Smith revealed that he would be keen to replace Warner, transitioning from the middle-order.
โI'm actually happy to go up the top, yeah, I'm keen if that's what they want to do,โ Smith told the radio broadcast.
Following Smith's comments, long-time teammate and wicket-keeper of the Test team, Alex Carey, has backed the claims of the former international skipper.
"I think Steve can bat wherever he wants," Alex Carey said post-match after the conclusion of Day 3.
"He's probably proven (in) his career whatever challenge is thrown at him, he's found a way to succeed.
"I don't know which way it'll all end up, I think it's just really exciting to be a part of David's last game and really celebrate that.
"Big shoes to fill though and whoever gets the opportunity no doubt will do a great job.
"We've got some great openers doing a fantastic job. Obviously are few other names are thrown up there and Smudge putting his hat in the ring...if he was to get the call-up he would do a great job no doubt.
"He's faced a new ball a number of times and I think he's pretty good at Test cricket."
Despite never opening the batting in the Test format, he has previously opened at international and domestic levels in both the ODI and Twenty20 formats. Already established as one of the great of Australian cricket and a future Hall of Famer, he could further cement his legacy.
The fourth-highest run scorer in the nation's history of Test cricket, Shane Watson, has also supported the 34-year-old in moving up the order and partnering with Khawaja.
"I like, knowing the person, the idea of Steve Smith opening," Watson said on-stage at a cricket event prior to the SCG Test, according to Fox Cricket.
"The reason why is that No.3 is the perfect position for him. When he's the man, he feels like he is the one who has to score the bulk of runs for his team, and when he was in his most prolific period - which was a long period of time - most of it was batting at No.3.
"When he was at No.3 he was scoring runs for fun, but when he comes in at No.4, often the work's been done, and finding motivation is more challenging for him.
"Steve Smith opening the batting, he has got the technique, (this) is the challenge he needs.
"My concern is that if Steve Smith isn't given a challenge, he might shut things down earlier than he needs."
Although he has earned the support of teammates - former and current - it is understood that Andrew McDonald (coach) and Pat Cummins (captain) are against the idea of promoting a middle-order batter to replace Warner - this would see Smith remain in the number four spot.
