Steve Smith as vice-captain would work if it means Pat Cummins then takes the lead role

The suggestion that Steve Smith be named Australia’s vice-captain when his leadership ban ends is worth considering, not for what it would do for Smith but how it may help a future, long-term skipper, writes Robert Craddock.

Australian batsman Steve Smith will soon have served his two year ban from a leadership role.

• Door left ajar for Smith to lead again
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Steve Smith’s elevation to the Australian vice-captaincy would be the perfect way to facilitate the appointment of Pat Cummins as Test captain.

Nothing is set in stone but Justin Langer’s suggestion that Smith may be considered for a vice-captain’s role is worthy of the deepest consideration, not for what it would do for Smith but of the comfort it could give to Cummins.

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Tim Paine’s exceptional performance as a “wartime’’ Australian captain following the ball-tampering affair has rightfully given him the chance to lead on beyond the expiration of Smith’s two-year ban which ends this month.

Australian batsman Steve Smith will soon have served his two year ban from a leadership role.

Paine should lead Australia to Bangladesh mid-year then into the home series against India next summer.

But Australia must be prepared for the change of guard for it will come soon enough.

Michael Clarke and several other leading voices have been championing Cummins’ cause for some time, but there has been two soft spots in his resume which Smith’s appointment would nullify.

Because Cummins has had little leadership experience since his early teens he simply has to be raw at the job, which is where an experienced vice-captain could be invaluable.

Pat Cummins shapes as the natural captain in waiting as Tim Paine’s time draws to a close.

The less experienced your captain the more you need a battle-hardened deputy.

The other query over Cummins has been whether being a heavy-committed fast bowling spearhead might mean he has too much on his plate as the man steering the ship and occasionally rushing below deck to fire the torpedoes.

But, if he could have a decent working relationship with Smith, there could be times during long spells when he might say to his deputy “mate, can you keep an eye on things’’.

Smith’s experience could be deployed lightening the load for Cummins as he learns on the job.

The other thing about Smith’s appointment is that while there would always be those who say “there’s no way he should be leading his country after the ball tampering ban’’ their resistance would be less because he is only back in a supporting role.

He would not be the figurehead of Australian cricket.

The key to the success of the move would be how willingly Smith would embrace it.

It takes a special man to be a decent vice-captain because they have to be a “giver’’ by nature, accepting that their best work is often done without recognition.

Because he is so tightly wound and has trouble sleeping during Tests, there have always been reservations over whether Smith is truly suited to being the main man anyway.

This could be the perfect compromise, for Smith, Cummins and Australia.