Steve Smith remains steadfast captaincy is not on his radar after posting two pressure-laden tons, which reignited debate about where the batsman sits in the upper echelon of Australian cricket’s greatest.
Smith had statisticians in a frenzy at Edgbaston on Sunday, when he backed up a first-innings knock of 144 with a dominant 142 to put the tourists in the box seat for a 1-0 series lead.
The former skipper became the fifth Australian to post two centuries in an Ashes Test, while his combined tally of 286 represented the most runs in an away Test by an Australian since Mark Taylor produced a record-breaking knock against Pakistan in 1998.
Smith described it as a “dream comeback” but wouldn’t bite when asked about the prospect of becoming captain when the leadership ban imposed by Cricket Australia ends next year.
“It’s certainly not on my radar at the moment. It’s just about going out there and doing my job as a batsman,” the right-hander said.
“He (Tim Paine) knows I’m there to help him and give him some suggestions … if I see something I’ll always go to him and try and help for the betterment of the team.”
Smith was stoked to score two hundreds in a match, one of few achievements to have previously eluded the 30-year-old.
“It’s something I have never done in any form of cricket,” he said.
“It’s incredibly special and special to put us in the position we are in.”
Smith, now averaging 62.96 after celebrating his 24th and 25th Test hundreds, was described by plenty of pundits and players as Australia’s best batsman since Don Bradman prior to his “leadership failure” that was the Cape Town cheating scandal.
That reputation will be entrenched and Australia will enjoy their first Test series win in England since 2001 if he continues to dismantle England’s rudderless attack with surgical precision.
Smith now has 10 Ashes tons, equal second with Steve Waugh for the most by an Australian.
Waugh, mentoring Australia’s Test squad at Justin Langer’s invitation, scored 10,927 runs and watched great batsmen from Australia and around the world excel during his 168-Test career.
But even Waugh admits to never seeing “anything like” Smith, who played for the same Sydney club as his son Austin during a year-long suspension from international and Australian domestic cricket.
“It’s almost like he’s in a trance state,” Waugh said on the Nine Network.
“He knows exactly what everyone wants to do … he’s got an answer for everything.
“It’s like he analyses every ball like a computer and then he spits out the answer … his appetite for runs is second to none. His technique is amazing.”
Such numbers and style only tell part of the story, as is so often the case with Smith.
On Thursday, Smith pushed Australia from 8-122 to 284 as the crowd called him a cheat and convict while mocking the tears that followed the sandpaper saga.
Smith’s restless shoulders then guided Australia from 2-27 to 5-331 in their second dig.
James
Roar Rookie
Crystal ball gazing of course. How would I have facts about something that hasn't happened? Time travel. But watch and see....
Paul
Roar Guru
have you been crystal ball gazing James, or do you have some facts to back up your statements about Smith & Head?
James
Roar Rookie
Before 2020 is over, Steven Smith will captain Australia! Travis Head will be lucky to be in the team. Joffra Archer just took 6 wickets and scored a century in a second eleven fitness test. Jason Gillespie said he was ready for the first test too. The true test is coming. Look out Australia!
AREH
Roar Guru
This unburdened version of Smith, back doing what he is best at - being the gun batsman in the side, and best in the world at test level - is refreshing to see. I would think the most logical way forward is for him to focus solely on this. Sure, the talk will continue for the next while ad nauseam, yet he need not hold an official position to lead and give direction on the field, as we've seen. The only thing that might tempt the brains trust, as many have said, is if there is a distinct lack of options. By that point, you would hope any of Head, Cummins or another would present a strong enough case.
U
Roar Rookie
Just like making the keeper batsman a captain. He’s already got too much going on. Paine would be batting better without the added responsibility
U
Roar Rookie
Exactly
U
Roar Rookie
Just let him bat. Sometimes the best players are not the best leaders. Lara, Ponting, Sachin, Dravid etc weren’t the best captains. The options really are Head, Wade and possibly Khawaja. But the first two have to cement their spots whilst Ussie needs to stand up at important times more often
Warnie's Love Child
Guest
Smith will turn 31 next June. Wouldn't it be better to appoint someone younger, post Paine, who can be mentored by Smith as a longer term captain ?
Griffo
Guest
No, David Warner was.
John
Guest
My bad, looks like it was only a temporary ban.
John
Guest
Wasn't Smith banned for life from ever taking on a leadership role in the national team as a part of the sandpaper sanctions?
Kopa Shamsu
Guest
Why dont let the man just play his game without asking these BS questions everyday? He is far better batsman without being captain than he is as captain.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Yes, Paul. As we’ve discussed before, the best batsman doesn’t have to be the national captain. Tendulkar springs to mind. Why cannibalise your best asset with added burden.
Marlin
Roar Rookie
Admittedly I didn’t see much because I had to go to bed but I thought he was the captain the way he was moving fielders around….anyway I was critical of his pathetic involvement in Sandpapergate but the way he has batted is really impressive. Redemption isn’t the right description but it is admirable.
Paul
Roar Guru
James, I'm not sure if you remember that ODI series the Aussies played after the last Ashes series and Smith was absolutely spent, mentally. He hardly made a run and his captaincy was not that flash. I'd love to see another guy come through, be it Head or whom ever, so Smith can focus on run making and supporting his team mates, a similar role to what Mike Hussey used to play when he settled into the Test side.
James
Roar Rookie
I believe that his second coming as Australian captain is inevitable and if he puts all the lessons learned into practice, then he should become a much better captain too.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
I think he will play better without the responsibility of being the captain. Maybe VC will be enough. He still adds to the team.