Steve Smith is ready and willing to captain Australia again, three years on from the infamous ball-tampering scandal.
One of Australia’s greatest batsmen, Smith received a 12-month ban from international cricket following the dramatic events on the 2018 tour of South Africa.
He was also barred from holding any leadership position with the national team for two years as Tim Paine became Test skipper and Aaron Finch inherited the captaincy of Australia’s white-ball teams.
But Smith says he will happily step up to the top job in Australian cricket if selectors want him.
The 31-year-old pledged his full support for Paine and Finch, who have both been under pressure to keep their jobs during certain times this year.
“I guess now I’ve got to a point where if the opportunity did come up again I would be keen,” Smith told News Corp.
“If it was what Cricket Australia wanted and it was what was best for the team at the time, it’s certainly something I would be interested in.
“I’m always going to have to live with Cape Town regardless of whether I lead again or not. It’s always there.
“Time keeps moving forward, and I’ve learnt so much the last few years about myself and grown as a human being.”
Fast bowler Pat Cummins is Australia’s vice-captain and has declared his interest in stepping up to skipper.
But Australia have traditionally shied away from handing the captaincy to a bowler.
Ray Lindwall was the last fast bowler to lead Australia, for one Test in India in 1956.
Cricket Australia has not given an indication if it would be comfortable with Smith returning to the captaincy.
Smith was promoted to captain on a full-time basis after Michael Clarke retired following the 2015 Ashes.
Rohan
Roar Rookie
True, and Chappell's unnecessary action determined the outcome of a series, sandpergate had no measured effect on the game. Underarm has far more impact.
Peter Warrington
Guest
can't agree re Bengaluru, India fell in a hole in their second dig and it was pretty obvious watching the pitch deteriorate that we would struggle to make 150, 188 was never really on. Ashwin at his best, Wade and MMarsh not up to it.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Been lurking on the AFL page.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
BTW I think Viv Richards was one of many gifts from God to cricket, me facetiously citing him as arrogant was to highlight that it is all in the perception - I certainly appreciate what a batsman he was much more than when I was a kid willing Australia to get him out cheaply every time he went in to bat. None the less, he wasn't perfect either. I have read accounts of at least one umpire from his time (citing at least one example) who said he used to put excruciating pressure on umpires, remind you of any current non-Australian superstar?
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
It's just the way someone comes across. I am so over the current version of the tall poppy syndrome among a lot of Australian cricket fans that any genuinely world class batsman has to have his demeanour, personality and character assassinated just so he can be dismissed as a captaincy candidate. But hey, Head has halos around his head in the eyes of many ... too bad he will never cement his place in the side.
Chubbs Peterson
Guest
Viv wasn't arrogant. He was a straight shooter and a fair cricketer. Marnus genuinely thinks he's just a superior individual to all. His smug behaviour when he's dismissed is unsightly. He's also untested overseas. A short ashes series and a feast of home cricket is his resume
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
And "Super Cat" was the right nickname. My bad, duh!
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
I don't follow water polo. Budapest is a beautiful city though. Spent two days there 20 years ago, would have liked to stay longer.
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
Seems that, once again, we disagree. :laughing: :laughing: Surely there is something down the line we can agree on?? The Hungarians in the water polo are a shifty bunch aren't they??
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Well don't beat around the bush Rowdy, for God's tell us what you really think ...
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Statistical success is a secondary concern re captaincy. Important but secondary.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Bradman was not a good captain. Viv's record rides on the Famous Pace Battery and he was not a patch on Big Cat who l rate as the 2nd best captain ever. The Tozzie Tosser lost the Ashes 3x Graeme Smith I like.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
How incredible. I just find it wrong that ppl busy themselves, at their employment, with deeds that aren't related to their responsibilities. It's theft. Pure n simple theft. And then there is misappropriation of funds. ------ And l was sacked on a false allegation and spent 3 years on the dole and I'm now working 15 hours, as of 8 months ago, on such low pay the dole tops it up. My allegation, though l was cleared, prevents employers from looking at me objectively. In their eyes I'm a child-basher. An unintended consequence of 'me-too'.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Then to paraphrase Kirk Douglas's 'Harrison' in Man from Snowy River "We can bid the Ashes good day!"
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
CSA and it’s board members are not known for making good decisions.. Quite the opposite. Last year the auditors KPMG refused to sign off their Financials.. Amongst their expenditures was a Million Rand plus booze bill.. Including in that a R45000. 00 Rand bottle of champagne.. I’m not making that up. Put into perspective the monthly state old age pension is R1890. 00. What they had to celebrate is a mystery anyway… It certainly wasn’t the teams on field performances. . Don’t expect too much from them.. The shocking decision to override security must be seen from whence it comes.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Hey Paps, haven't seen you for ages!
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Touch of Bradman there with the batting focus. However old Braddles would have thought it rude not to introduce oneself to a new chum.
Peter Warrington
Guest
If Maxwell had said that Smith and his "leadership group" would have punted him to Sutherland Seconds. The Smith Morning Herald has been running a campaign, lead by Taylor, for 18 months. They think all their readers are John Howard.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
So are his (Paine’s) on-field tactics (ordinary). Whether Smith is peerless as a tactician or not, he would have been considerably superior to Paine at Headingly, Sydney and Brisbane. Paine was atrocious in all three instances on the score of tactics. I’m gonna keep saying it, there is every chance we will lose the Ashes next summer if Paine is still in charge.
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
All the kids are wearing hats these days, its back in fashion. And yes, sorry for the old-timer expression. :happy: :happy: On Paine v Smith captain, I rate Paine higher overall, maybe his reviews are ordinary, but I'm judging the whole package. Just my view.