Australia v India 2014: Steve Smith gets to road test skipper role, writes Richard Hinds

STEVE Smith has been given the chance to road test the Australian captaincy role before, one day, making it his own, writes Richard Hinds.

IT took just one question at Steve Smith’s captain’s press conference to demonstrate the responsibilities of his new job go well beyond the ropes.

The first enquiry was not about the greenish Gabba wicket, but about the tragedy that had unfolded in Sydney in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The noble manner in which Michael Clarke handled another even more — for the team — personal tragedy in recent weeks has raised the already lofty standards set for Australian cricket captains to dizzying heights.

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So, you ask Smith, is he prepared not merely to move fine leg three metres to the left, but to shoulder the burden of the office of Australian captain?

“Obviously I’m only a temporary at the moment with Michael out injured,’’ says Smith. “What’s gone on in Sydney is devastating and you never want to see anything like that.

“Michael has been terrific the last couple of weeks, it’s been difficult for us all. The strength he’s shown has been amazing. A lot of credit has to go to him for that.’’

Smith’s answer is that of a man dipping his toe in the water but not yet forced to take the plunge. Circumstances have given him the chance to road test the Australian captaincy before, one day, making it his own.

“I’ve obviously got three Tests now to be in charge,’’ he says. “I’ll be doing everything I can first and foremost with my performance on the field making sure I lead from the front. I’ll work on that and try to get better in those (off-field) areas.’’

More than his burgeoning talent with the bat, or his natural instincts in the field, it is Smith’s willingness to work, adapt and learn that have seen him elevated to the captaincy at just 25.

Steve Smith was announced as Australia’s new Test captain on Monday.

Smith, who left high school before year 12, is self-deprecating about his academic capabilities. He laughs when you suggest Australian cricket’s gain was probably not the High Court’s loss.

“Ever since I was young cricket is the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do to be honest,’’ he says. “That was part of my reason for leaving school. I backed myself in.’’

But throughout a career that flourished then stalled, Smith has proven himself an excellent student. Like the way he followed the advice of prolific first class batsman and Sutherland teammate Phil Jacques.

“He told me ‘No cover drives for the first 20 minutes you’re out there’. It’s one of those things that you take in that really helped me.’’

Then there was the team quiz night in Zimbabwe where Smith did not know the location of Victoria Falls and was sentenced to a two minute talk to the team about the landmark. He turned up the next morning and spoke like an expert.

As a captain, however, you suspect Smith will rely more on “cricket smarts’’ and gut instinct than laptop data.

“I’m not a big one for it,’’ he says. “I’m a big one for making sure you’re doing your skills well and collectively as a group as well.’’

It is only a few months ago that Michael Clarke was seen chastising Smith for fraternising with the Pakistani opponents — an apparent misunderstanding. Smith says he will have no compunction about letting older teammates know what he expects.

The greater question is how the leadership will affect his batting — something he says “I haven’t really thought about’’. But already he has done what Clarke did not do for several seasons — move up the order. A self-sacrificing gesture intended to give Shaun Marsh the best possible chance to re-establish himself.

From his slightly weary tone after a long round of media engagements you get the feeling the hyperactive Smith is itching to start making his moves on the field.

“I’ve had the last 48 hours for it to all soak in,’’ he says.

“I’m sure everything will be fine. I can’t wait to get out there for the toss and then the anthem. I can’t wait to get stuck into it.”

Originally published as Australia v India 2014: Steve Smith gets to road test skipper role, writes Richard Hinds