Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald has put his weight behind under-fire Steve Smith. McDonald has confirmed that Smith will open the innings against India in the five-match Test series, which will be played later in the year.

Smith recently opened the innings against New Zealand but could only return with 51 runs in two Test matches. Furthermore, Smith could only manage 92 runs in two Test matches against the West Indies while opening the innings. The talisman had shown his interest in batting at the top of the order after David Warner announced his retirement from the Test format.

McDonald feels Smith will take some time to settle into the opening slot as it is a new position as well as a challenge for him and added it will be unfair to change Smith’s place in the batting order.

“I think he’ll be able to work through that. It’s a new challenge for him, a new position. If you bring in a new opener and you gave them four test matches, and then said, ‘okay, we’re going to shift that after four Test matches’, would you think that’s fair or unfair? I think it’s reasonably unfair,” McDonald told reporters.

“There will be a debate as to what his best position is … but he’s up for the challenge, and I think any time that Steve Smith fails, he sees it as a greater challenge. “So walking away here with 51 runs under his belt in tough conditions, that will no doubt drive him for the next challenge and that next challenge is India. They await, and I think it will be an internal motivator for him,” the chief coach added.

Meanwhile, India has won the last two Test series against Australia while playing Downunder by 2-1 and Smith will hold the key at the top of the order if the hosts have to get the better of Rohit Sharma-led team.