Australia and India both had one box ticked for the opening spot ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Yashasvi Jaiswal fit the bill for India and Usman Khawaja for hosts Australia. Who will occupy the other end remained a mystery.
For Australia, Steve Smith had stepped up to face the new ball ever since David Warner retired. But the returns were not encouraging. He played four Tests as an opener and mustered just 171 runs at an average of 28.50. At No. 4, his most preferred spot in the batting order, the record read: 5966 runs from 67 matches at an average of 61.50 with 19 centuries.
