Australian selectors have been urged to be patient with Steve Smith in his new role as an opener after a “tentative” start to his new role in Adelaide.
Smith was out for 12 off 26 balls off the first ball bowled by Shamar Joseph in Test cricket in his first innings since David Warner's success at the top of the order.
Former Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin said Smith's nerves were evident.
“It was an interesting day for Steve Smith,” Haddin said on Fox Cricket.
“He looked a bit nervous, to be honest. He had a few pull shots away.
“Then he probably pushed in a ball he didn't need to. It was about the sixth off stump… He looked a bit hesitant for me, Steve Smith, to get going.”
But Brett Lee said any suggestion that Smith would replace him short-term in the opener would be proven wrong, saying: “Just give him time.”
“I think it was a great decision,” Hadden added. “The only thing about the decision is that Steve Smith wanted to open his doors…he wanted a new challenge.”
The man who benefited most from Smith's substitution – Cameron Green – will resume action alongside Usman Khawaja on day two with Australia trailing by 129 runs at 2-59.
After stumps, Josh Hazlewood told Fox Cricket he was hoping for a quiet second day at Adelaide Oval.
“Hopefully we can bat all day. The wicket flattens out a bit once the ball gets old. Hopefully a couple of the boys can secure and bat today for sure,” he said.
Hazlewood and Pat Cummins shared eight of Australia's ten wickets as the West Indies were bowled out for 188.
