Smith's promotion as opener leaves ex-Aussie captain 'nearly vomited'

Former Australia captain Kim Hughes has hit out at the team management for elevating star batter Steve Smith to the opener's role following David Warner's Test retirement. Warner played his last Test earlier this month against Pakistan in Sydney as Australia swept the series 3-0. While Western Australia's Cameron Bancroft made a strong case for himself to replace Warner, the Australian team management announced that Smith will be opening the innings with Usman Khawaja, starting with a two-match series against West Indies later this week.

On Smith's elevation as opener, Hughes revealed that he almost "vomited" upon hearing the latest development. The former Aussie skipper took shots at the selection committee for ignoring Bancroft, who is in the form of his life," Hughes told WA Sports Talk, as quoted by Sports ABC.

"I nearly vomited. I've got no doubts in my mind that if Cameron Bancroft played for New South Wales, he'd be in the Test side. He is in his prime."