Robert Craddock: Steve Smith can win back fans quicker as Aussie deputy than by being in charge

Sleep deprivation, media scrutiny, ceaseless interviews and the spotlight all made life difficult for Steve Smith at the helm. Vice-captaincy for Smith presents a far different world.

You could set your watch by it ... “Smith vice-captain! Go the Poms.’’

So said one online reader in the minutes after Steve Smith was appointed Australian cricket vice-captain.

At that precise moment I was on stage at a cricket lunch and, just out of interest, asked the crowd of 180 if anyone had an issue with Smith’s appointment as vice-captain to raise their hand.

About 20 hands went up initially then 25 more rose in time so 45 in all.

If that room was representative of Australia — I sense it probably was — one in four Australian cricket fans are yet to forgive Smith for being captain of the team which ball-tampered in Cape Town and for this they have to offer no apology.

Sport’s greatest rivalry is just around the corner and you can catch the Ashes live and ad-break free during play. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today.

Crash believes the vice-captaincy is a far better outcome for Steve Smith to win back support.

He stuffed up. It’s entirely up to them whether they forgive him or not. You can’t tell somebody to love someone.

The good news for Smith is that three out of four have either forgiven him or don’t care.

The bad news is that the minority, as so often happens, are the ones with the loudest voices.

Cricket fans who feel lingering anger at Smith’s return to a leadership post are far more likely to voice their displeasure than his supporters are for his presence.

The key for Smith in winning them over is to not to try to. Just bury himself in the deputy’s role and let the rest look after itself.

Crash says the vice-captaincy takes Smith away from the all the parts of the job that crushed him.

Vice-captaincy is a test of one of the most elusive human traits … the ability to put effort in knowing someone else will get the credit.

Make no mistake, Smith wanted the captaincy.

He may take time to see it this way but the deputy’s role is a far better result for him.

If Australia starts winning Test matches and Pat Cummins starts paying tribute to his “unsung helper’’ it will rebuild Smith’s reputation quicker than if he was the man in in charge.

Greg Chappell tells the story of seeing Smith after a Test in Perth and he was so exhausted a decent gust of breeze would have blown him into the Indian Ocean.

The vice-captaincy takes him away from the all the parts of the job that crushed Smith.

Crash believes Smith’s personality will probably better suited to the vice-captaincy.

The media scrutiny. The ultimate responsibility. The ceaseless interviews. The spotlight.

He was a poor sleeper in Test matches but now he should sleep well because he is not the man at the end of the line.

In Test cricket he averages 87 when batting in the first innings of a Test then 61, 49 and 30 in the next three innings.

It’s hard not to conclude the intensity of Test cricket combined with average night’s sleep can grind him down so best that Cummins face the pressure now.

Truth be known, Smith’s personality was probably better suited to the vice-captaincy anyway.

He may not have the presence of a Steve Waugh or the verbal clout of a Ricky Ponting but no-one doubts his cricket smarts.

Nathan Lyon often goes to him for insights on how batsmen are thinking and his wisdom is factored into Lyon’s game plan.

Smith has much to offer the vice-captaincy. If his union with Cummins works it could be the most satisfying stage of his cricket career.