Steve Smith on Sunday said he felt obligated to step up and replace David Warner as Australia`s Test opener, but also admitted it suited him because he got bored waiting to come in at four.

The 34-year-old veteran was a surprise pick to do the job ahead of openers Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris and Matt Renshaw after Warner bowed out of Test cricket this month. He will pad up in his new role for the first time in the opening Test of a two-match AUS vs WI Test series in Adelaide, which starts on Wednesday.