Former Australian opener David Warner has advocated for Steve Smith to move to the No. 3 batting position in the upcoming Test series against New Zealand. Warner made the recommendation during a discussion on Fox Cricket six weeks before the first Test, scheduled to take place at Perth Stadium.

Warner, joined by former players Mark Waugh and Kerry O’Keeffe, shared their preferred batting line-ups for the series opener. While there was consensus on maintaining Marnus Labuschagne’s place in the side despite a first-innings duck in South Africa, debate continues over the composition of the middle order. Labuschagne’s position, in particular, appears precarious following his recent struggles.

Smith, who missed the Test in Newlands due to a neck injury, has spent most of his 227 Test innings batting at No. 4, where he has forged a strong record with 23 of his 37 centuries. However, he boasts an impressive career average of 65.22, including eight centuries, from 30 innings at No. 3. Warner noted that Smith’s experience in that slot, which he has only occupied once since September 2017, could help resolve the team's middle-order congestion and allow Cameron Green to settle into the No. 4 position, which he handled effectively during the series in South Africa.

Warner suggested that moving Smith up the order would provide greater consistency and reduce the need to introduce new players, potentially threatening Labuschagne’s place in the side. “Smithy’s a world-class player … there’s no reason why he can’t go up there,” Warner said, emphasizing the importance of ongoing conversations within the team.

Warner proposed a top-seven batting order of Matt Renshaw, Travis Head, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), and Cooper Connolly for the upcoming Tests.

The ongoing Test series between Australia and South Africa has featured a balanced contest on a pitch carefully prepared by Newlands head groundsman Braam Mong. Mong, who recently offered former Australian spinner Nathan Lyon a future role preparing wickets at Newlands, described the surface as flat but challenging, with just 6mm of grass remaining. This has limited seam movement, a factor that has contributed to a trend toward shorter Tests in Australia, while simultaneously offering a modest advantage to spinners.

On the fourth day of the recent Test at Newlands, play resumed with South Africa pushing to extend a slender lead. South African captain Temba Bavuma, who recently played a marathon innings at St George’s Park, was dismissed after a patient 35 runs. The hosts had reached 5-202, holding a lead of 102 runs, as the match unfolded into a tense series decider.

Australia’s bowling attack, led by Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, continued to apply pressure amid moments of heightened on-field tension. Starc engaged in a brief exchange with South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder over running on the pitch, underscoring the high stakes of the encounter.

The Test match remains finely poised, with both teams reluctant to concede ground on a surface that tests both batsmen’s concentrations and bowlers’ strategies, setting the stage for an intense series conclusion.