Once his leadership ban expires Steve Smith should be back as Australian captain according to Ian Healy, who worries about current skipper Tim Paine’s workload.
Tim Paine’s stint as Australia’s captain should be confined to the duration of Steve Smith’s leadership ban, according to Healy.
Ex-Test gloveman Healy is well aware of the challenges confronting Paine in his demanding twin roles as wicketkeeper and skipper.
He served as vice captain to Mark Taylor and that experience ensured he never coveted the top job.
Paine is the first Australian to share both the captaincy and wicketkeeping roles on a full-time basis since the start of the 20th century, with Adam Gilchrist and Barry Jarman having only filled in for six and one Test respectively.
Healy can’t see 34-year-old Paine being able to hold onto both roles beyond the extent of Smith’s two-year ban from a leadership position.
“I think Painey has done a fantastic job and I think he will be able to last the ban of Steve Smith, but that might do him,” Healy said, ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Gabba.
“That’s when he’ll be really tired. It’ll be very interesting to find out after that Indian series just how tired he was. How he felt the days after that and how long it took to recalibrate.
“I don’t think you can do it long term, especially when you’ve got candidates in your side who are just as capable of doing that leadership role.
“Tim Paine would love to sit back and be that set of eyes and gloves for the captain, I’m sure. And he could be valuable after Smithy returns.”
Smith is free to play for Australia again when his 12-month ban ends on March 29, but can’t return to the captaincy for another year after that.
There has been significant conjecture over whether he should be given that position again following his ban stemming from the ball-tampering saga.
Smith has since revealed he erred in Cape Town by telling David Warner and Cameron Bancroft he didn’t want to know what was happening when he saw the plan being hatched.
But Healy, who played 119 Tests for Australia between 1988 and 1999, said he would like to see Smith return.
“Yes I would,” said Healy, who will commentate for Fox Cricket in Brisbane.
“He definitely hasn’t done a lot wrong, he’s been a victim of the etiquette and the law book that the captain in a cricket team takes the brunt of what’s going on in your team.
“He has paid a big price and I’m happy for him to (captain again).”
© AAP
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