Australian captain confirms that Steve Smith open or play at number four or not in WTC 2025 Final

The longstanding uncertainty regarding veteran Australian batsman Steve Smith's batting position has been clarified. Indeed, Australian skipper Pat Cummins has revealed that star batsman Steve Smith will bat at number four in the final of the upcoming World Test Championship 2025 against South Africa, which will take place at Lord's in the United Kingdom from June 11-15.

Steve Smith, who has registered 23 centuries and 26 half-centuries while batting at number four in Test cricket, smashed a century for Australia in the first innings of the 2023 World Test Championship against India at the Oval in London and paved the way for his team. 

Steve Smith was set to open with Usman Khawaja, but now Pat Cummins has put an end to this. Cummins said on Prime Video Australia, "I can confirm that Steve Smith will bat at number four. I am not ready for everything else, but I can confirm that Steve Smith will be at number four." 

Australia is on the verge of becoming the first team to win the WTC title twice in a row. Pat Cummins talked about the challenges of competing in a two-year championship cycle. He said, "After winning in 2023, there is a lot of talk about trying to maintain it. Go and defend it. It is not tangible until you actually reach the final. Now that we have made it, it would be great to win another ICC trophy." 

During this, Pat Cummins also said that South Africa, captained by Temba Bavuma, has enough match-winning players who can pose a serious challenge for them in the WTC final. They always seem to compete in every tournament. He has a lot of experience, especially in white-ball teams – he plays in different franchise leagues.