Selectors opted for a second spinner in Ashton Agar and picked Cameron Green as a back-up all-rounder while remaining loyal to the core of players who helped Australia win an unprecedented sixth 50-over World Cup in India last November.
Smith, who has played just four Twenty20 internationals for Australia since the start of 2023, went unsold at the Indian Premier League auction held in December last year. He competed for the Sydney Sixers in the 2023-24 Big Bash League (BBL).
"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?"
Smith finished unbeaten on 79 off 79 balls and Green was 77 not out as Australia cruised to the winning target of 232 with 11.3 overs to spare
"There was a lot of commentary around I’d failed in two or three innings or whatever it was," Smith told reporters in Melbourne on Wednesday.
West Indies speedster Shamar Joseph bowled through pain to rip through a shellshocked Australia on Sunday and help deliver an extraordinary eight run upset for his inexperienced side on day four of the second Test in Brisbane.
Steve Smith guided Australia to a healthy position as they reached 60-2 at stumps on the third day of the second Test against the West Indies in Brisbane on Saturday.
Smith made 12 and 11 not out as an opener in the first Test against West Indies, which Australia won inside seven sessions
Debutant Shamar Joseph gave the West Indies some hope after taking two top-order wickets during Australia's reply to the visitors' first innings total of 188 in the opening Test in Adelaide Wednesday.
Australian captain Steve Smith shoots down suggestions of ball-tampering after video of him using saliva from the corner of his mouth during Sunday's one-day loss to England raised eyebrows.
Steve Smith's importance to Australia in the Ashes series has not just been in the torrent of runs he has scored but also in timing of his big innings, says team mate Pat Cummins.
Steve Smith racked up another milestone as he continues to torment England and Usman Khawaja nears a century to put Australia in a strong position after day two of the final Ashes Test in Sydney.
Steve Smith has broken English hearts and smashed records with his phenomenal Ashes batting and is being acclaimed as the best Australian batsman since the greatest of all, Don Bradman.
Steve Smith praises his "exceptional" team as Australia reclaimed the Ashes with an innings win over England in the third Test in Perth on Monday, and set his sights on a series whitewash.
Steve Smith produces a defiant unconquered century as Australia take the edge in the first Ashes Test at the Gabba on Saturday.
Skipper Steve Smith leads a rescue mission to revive Australia's fortunes after a top-order batting collapse in the Ashes Test against England in Brisbane.
Two of the world's best batsmen will be in opposition when Australia's Steve Smith and England's Joe Root both lead their countries for the first time in an Ashes Test at Brisbane.
Australia skipper Steve Smith rubbishes claims he favours his "mates" as selection looms for the highly anticipated Ashes Test series with England.
Australia captain Steve Smith and star opener David Warner say they have no desire to play four-day Tests in a setback to international cricket chiefs who have floated the idea.