MITCHELL JOHNSON: Failing Steve Smith opening experiment the biggest question ahead of Australian Test summer

We know the Test summer will launch at Optus Stadium in Perth against India in November, but who Australia will send in to face the new ball is less clear.

Having led his own push to open the batting following the retirement of David Warner midway through last summer, Steve Smith this week flagged the possibility of dropping down to No.3 or No.4 this summer.

And it seems his opening partner Usman Khawaja isn’t confident with Smith’s performances at the top of the order so far.

“I love seeing him come in at No. 4 … you get two wickets, and who do you get walking in? The best batsman in the world,” Khawaja told Fox Cricket.

“When you put him up to open, I feel like you’re kind of giving them a chance to get at him early.”

I have no idea what will happen to Smith this summer. But I did have a feeling that this experiment would end up creating a huge mess if selectors overlooked a specialist opener, Smith then struggled in the role and Cam Green, who came back in to replace him at No.4, succeeded in Smith’s old spot.

Smith has spent most of his prolific career at No.4 and averaged 61.5 there. It was such a huge call to move one of our nation’s greatest Test batsmen from where he was successful.

After four Tests and eight innings as an opener, Smith is averaging 28.5 with only one half century. His unbeaten 91 to nearly guide Australia to victory against the West Indies at the Gabba last summer was a great knock, but overall it doesn’t look promising for an experienced player of that calibre.

Green has averaged 53.6 at No.4 and he does not deserve to be moved. How can you as a selector take that away from Green when he has done what was asked of him?

While the bulk of the West Australian’s runs came in one monster knock in New Zealand, Green looks to have found his sweet spot and it’s been good for the team also.

In an ageing Test team, Green is the future. He has lifted his average and strike rate since moving up the order and deserves a good amount of time to make No.4 his own.

There is always the possibility of Green moving up to open. Another all-rounder in Shane Watson made a success of the same switch many years ago, but I do wonder if Green could fill that position confidently after looking comfortable at No.4.

Meanwhile, it looks like Perth is the new home of the opening Test match of the summer for the foreseeable future as the ageing Gabba continues its fall down the pecking order.

Having been a part of Australia’s dominance at the Gabba, it’s a shame to see what’s happened and it doesn’t look like Brisbane will be getting back that first Test anytime soon.

It sticks in my mind just how hard it was for visiting teams to start a series there.

Who can forget Steve Harmison’s infamous first ball, with sweat already visible on his brow, which went to Andrew Flintoff at second slip to open the Ashes back in 2006/07?

While India and the West Indies have recently breached the fortress, I’d still like the first Test at the Gabba and I still believe it’s a difficult place for any touring team to start a series.

Although India are used to the hot conditions in their own country, the Gabba serves up a unique concoction.

Brisbane’s humidity combined with the sand-based outfield and then the hard, greenish grass cover on the pitch all play a part. It’s a tough crowd too, which doesn’t back down in support of their team.

I think the biggest issue we now see with the Gabba is it’s old and outdated and there has been plenty of talk it’s just not up standard anymore.

Who knows what will happen with the ground in the future, with options to either rebuild it or demolish it altogether as part of holding the 2032 Olympics.

In the meantime, Optus Stadium has been given the job of providing a hostile welcome to touring teams.

The early signs have been good, with Australia winning four from four there on some slick pitches reminiscent of the WACA Ground of old. Add some hot dry heat up into the high 30s and a bit of cracking to the deck and it promises to be uncomfortable.

While it seems like a coup for Perth to gain the opening Test going forward, this year beginning on November 22, it means there won’t be much Test cricket here in the school holidays anymore.

The issue with moving from the WACA Ground to Optus was always going to be the empty seats. It was a big talking point after the Test match against Pakistan last summer and it won’t be a good look if the blockbuster series against India opens with more seats empty than taken.