Redemption is a virtuous trait and everyone deserves a second chance in life.
If we were to ask anyone if this is a trait Australians possess, we would mostly agree on a fair go after a wrong deed has been done.
No-one is crying for Steve Smith’s self-inflicted plight as the world’s best batsman without a captaincy. The actions in Cape Town two years ago not only blighted Australia’s cricketing reputation but could have ended the careers of three outstanding cricketers. While it’s debatable whether Cameron Bancroft will ever wear the baggy green again, he was chosen in the first Test of last year’s Ashes campaign in England. While his form was not outstanding, it drew a line under any underlying prejudice that we needed to sweep him under the carpet, never to be seen again. Dave Warner, on the other hand, was never going to be left out and has picked up where he left off.
Boyish skipper Smith has developed from a leg spinner who could bat a bit to being regarded as second only to Donald Bradman, with an average of 62.84 in his 73 Test appearances. As Test captain between 2015 and 2018 he won 18 out of 34 matches (52.9 per cent). While statistics can’t be the only factor in deciding a player’s suitability as captain, his record was not outstanding. By comparison, current captain Tim Paine has a 52.6 per cent success rate (ten out of 19). So it’s even stevens in that regard.
What’s important in a nation’s captain is the integrity of the man and if his troops will follow him. While the South African sojourn would lead many to put a red line through his name, he has returned with an iron will to knuckle down and perform to a higher standard than before his enforced lay-off. With that has come a new maturity and the realisation that he must do better as a leader.
While he has not expressed any desire to return to the top job, if he were tapped on the shoulder, he would be wise to accept it as a means of redemption for sins of the past.
While I’m not suggesting Tim Paine be replaced as captain, the day will come where he does call stumps. At 35 that day will be sooner rather than later. For a player who made his Test debut in 2010, like Pat Cummins, he lost years of international cricket due to injury and incumbency. At 30, Steve Smith could play for another ten years and cement his reputation as a superb tactician and batsman par excellence if the desire is there and he remains injury-free. For a man who lives with a bat in his hand, motivation should not be a concern.
We can look to past captains as flawed men but outstanding cricketers to show that after an indiscretion that could have ended their career they performed the top job as leaders of men. Greg Chappell retired a great of the game and Steve Smith deserves the opportunity to lead once more.
sheek
Roar Guru
I have mixed feelings about this. While I’m a strong advocate for giving people a second chance, or even a third chance depending on the circumstance, I don’t know that Smith deserves to be captain again. He probably will be, simply because the alternatives won’t be there once Paine retires, or is pushed out. I’m not convinced Head is the next man to lead Australia, & Cummins is a fast bowler, & it would be tough on him physically & mentally, to both bowl & be captain. Of course, Paine has managed to combine the physically & mentally taxing jobs of wicket-keeper & captain. So perhaps Cummins could combine two demanding jobs as well. The problem with Smith is that he didn’t do the right thing when he was previously captain. They say the sign of character & integrity, is to do the right thing when no-one is watching you, or there’s no material benefit to you for doing so, other than because it is the right thing to do. There was no introspection by Smith when he was captain. The behaviour of the Aussie team was crude & fragmenting well before sandpapergate. Sandpapergate was merely an end result of what had building for several years. At no time did Smith review his leadership or the teams’ behaviour until it was too late. When the incident was about to occur, Smith had an inkling of what might be happening, but took the soft option of turning a blind eye. He showed both poor judgement & a lack of moral courage. I have no problem with Smith & Warner winning back their test places. But if Smith becomes captain again, it will probably be by default, & it would be undeserved.
Nick
Roar Guru
Yes, but it wasn't cause he was a bowler
matth
Roar Guru
Spruce, you hurt your argument by listing Ian Botham as a fine captain. He was a disaster and quit fairly quickly.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I know you said regularly, but Blackham did it at least once - https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17678/scorecard/62437/australia-vs-england-1st-test-england-tour-of-australia-1894-95
Chris Love
Roar Guru
You’re being too nice.. Smith was a terrible captain. It wasn’t just one test where he showed a terrible lack of integrity. He almost sank Nathan Lyon’s career he was so bad with the use of him. Sure he was the worlds best bat when Australia was batting but had nothing once we went into the field.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Haven’t seen it but having Smith as your captain for a long time that constantly issued you to a massive detriment to your own game would make anyone a bit fragile. Lyon has grown immensely since Smiths absence began.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
I don’t dislike Head as a member of the team and think his position in the side has unfairly, at times, been at risk. I’m not sure I’ve seen anything out of him that suggests he’d make a good Australian Captain though. If Paine was to retire tomorrow, the first pick for me would be Nathan “Garry” Lyon.
Cari
Roar Rookie
He lost his right of retaining the captaincy when he allowed downright cheating to occur under his captaincy. No second chance ever, I would say the same for any national team as well.
Robbie
Guest
It’s unfair to compare Steve Smith to Greg Chappell. Smith failed to stand up when he knew his teammates were cheating, Chappell used a legal tactic in an unpopular way. Ones a cheater, the other is simply ruthless. I don’t like what Chappell did, but don’t compare them
Ashwin Dixit
Guest
Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft caused so much damage to Australian cricket. They can be forgiven but you cannot forget it. Australian cricket’s aura of invincibility, fair play has taken such a hammering over this. You could always rely on the Australian cricket to get the job done. Australia does a lot of things well, and cricket was a gold standard, but it has been so badly tarnished by those guys. Get Marnus as the new captain and move forward.
Wise Old Elf
Guest
No. The reason why he should not ever be captain of even the local pub XI is because the evidence is Smith is not a leader, but a follower who is easily influenced by loud characters.
dungerBob
Roar Rookie
I forgot about Wade. Not sure his place is that secure so he's long odds. You're right, it will be out of Smith and Head but my money is on Smith tbh.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
And no, l think Smith would be a no-go.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I won't give ground on #5 at all. The batsman-captain does not have a 'professional' reputation to promote re bowling. One bowler over another does. #3 l suppose some can be very honest but they're in the minority. #2 for 15 minutes but then game on ---- Cheers, l love a full n frank discussion. Plus I'm a stubborn illegitimate.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Wade has pedigree as a Shield winning captain, but wouldn't be a logical choice. It'll be Smith or Head.
Nick
Roar Guru
#1 yeah - but the injury prone wouldn't be captain...batsman or bowlers. If you have a fit and healthy bowler, why shouldn't he captain if he's up for it? #2 My point is that after 8 hours, a batsman has to get back onto the field - exhausted. The same fatigue can impact the decision making. #3 Your word against theirs I suppose. But then, you'd be calling people like Dan Vettori or Courteney Walsh liars, and they are some of the most honest people ever to have played the game. #4 Ta :) #5 Indeed, I quite agree...so I'm not sure why you think it's only batsman who can. Anil Kumble, Shaun Pollock, Wasim Akram, Heath Streak, Ian Botham, Bob Willis, Waqar Younis, Imran Khan, Richard Hadlee, Vettori, Walsh, Kapil Dev, Darren Sammy, Jason Holder...all excellent bowlers (ok, Imran Khan and Botham allrounders, but definitely better bowlers), and were/are all fine captains. I'd choose Jason Holder to captain Australia before Steve Smith, if given the choice.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
#1 some bowlers have careers blighted by injuries rarely experienced by the other disciplines #2 Tactical decisions l refer to are when fielding. The only tactic you need when batting is not getting out. (My edit: I’ll qualify this of course you will have tactics but it is all internal. A captain can advise their batters but once past the pickets it’s up to him/her). Any batsman can do a captain’s knock. #3 they’re lying #4 I can give a bit of ground on that. Magnanimous? I know :laughing: #5 A rare person would juggle that right.
Nick
Roar Guru
#1 agreed... to an extent. Bowlers are prone to more injury, but they don't miss as many games as people think. Australian bowlers just tend to be over managed on the "rested" matches. Missing one game doesn't impact stability. #2 not true. A batsman who spends 8 hours at the crease in India getting 200 is just as likely to be compromised making tactical decisions #3 that's not true. Bowler captains have repeatedly said that doesn't impact them. #4 there's no evidence to support that, particularly in an era where coaches play greater roles in tactics and team management. #5 nope. Batting captains are equally likely to play favorites with the bowlers. There have been great bowling captains, there have been great allrounders as captains. Saying a bowler can't be a captain is like saying a forward can't captain a rugby league team. The best captain is the one with the best combination of tactical nous and leadership ability. If it's a bowler, so be it.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
Oh, people can come up with statistics to prove anything, Kent. Forty percent of all people know that. - Homer Simpson
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
No