Steve Smith on track to regain Test captaincy despite Sandpapergate saga
Time has not healed all wounds but it has dulled the pain. So, with no obvious successor in mind, it’s looking likely Australia will have to go back to the future for its next Test skipper. And the public agrees.
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Steve Smith’s chances of returning as Australian Test captain have firmed significantly because of a reason no-one expected.
Smith’s two-year captaincy ban following the South African ball tampering affair ended last March but Tim Paine’s outstanding leadership during his absence has prompted Australia to retain him, at least until and perhaps beyond the end of this season’s Indian series.
Initially, it was felt Paine’s longevity would work against Smith’s chances of a recall because the national selectors made it known to states that a new leader would be found in the next few seasons and they should throw up their best candidates as soon as possible.
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But here’s the catch; nothing’s happened.
Instead of Smith being swamped by rival candidates he has actually firmed in the pecking order because the states have either ignored or missed the memo. And it’s a possibility that has met with overwhelming public endorsement. More than 65 per cent of recipients in a poll said Smith had done his time and should be reinstated when the time comes.
Despite limited opportunities, NSW’s selectors have mysteriously failed to promote Pat Cummins, who was recently installed as Aussie vice-captain, and Queensland have decided against elevating Marnus Labuschagne.
This lack of movement has enhanced Smith’s chances of returning because the further the ball tampering scandal fades into history and the less leadership experience his rivals have when Paine retires, the better chance Smith is of returning to where he was.
The Cape Town scandal will forever stand as the one of the most notorious events in Australian cricket history.
Time has not healed all wounds but it has dulled the pain. People will never forget and nor will they totally forgive – but the anger has receded, a new culture has been installed and the game has moved on.
The thought of Smith returning has reportedly got approval of some Cricket Australia board members while others have reservations.
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Smith has been guarded about his aspirations for a return to the job but there is a feeling he would accept it and view it as a significant step in the rehabilitation of his reputation.
Former Australian coach John Buchanan, once said he did not believe Smith should return, claiming “in my opinion, although unfortunate for him, it‘s a one-strike policy when you’re captain of Australia.
“In terms of future leadership within the group? Certainly. There are a lot of experiences that he has had and can bring to that group and all formats of the game that he plays into the future. But it was just one of those moments in his life that I‘m sure he’ll forever regret.”
Originally published as Steve Smith on track to regain Test captaincy despite Sandpapergate saga