Former Test captain Steve Smith says a return to the post ‘not on my radar’ after batting heroics

Australia’s first Test batting hero Steve Smith says he’s not eyeing a return to captaincy but is happy to provide help to current skipper Tim Paine despite criticism of his influence in the field.

Australian Test captain Tim Paine and Steve Smith talk tactics in the field during the First Test. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images.

Former Test captain Steve Smith says any leadership ambitions are not on his radar and hit back at criticism of his on-field activities.

Basking in the glow of a scoring a hundred in both innings of a Test for the first time, Smith hit back at suggestions his leadership ban should extend to not helping out captain Tim Paine on the field.

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Local pundits took aim at Smith and what they regarded as undue influence over the field when England was batting.

But Smith said his 65 Tests of experience enabled him to help the team and that Paine was always looking for advice from all his teammates.

Australian Test captain Tim Paine and Steve Smith talk tactics in the field during the First Test. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images.

“Of course I’m experienced now and able to help in any way that I can,” Smith said.

“He (Paine) knows I’m there to help him and give him some suggestions and things like that as much as I can. If I see something I’ll always go to him and try and help for the betterment of the team.”

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As part of Smith’s 12-month ban for his role in the sandpaper scandal, he was also stripped of the captaincy and not allowed to hold any official leadership roles for an extra 12 months.

That ban ends in March next year, but Smith said he was giving no thoughts to taking over the captaincy again.

“It’s certainly not on my radar at the moment,” he said.

“It’s just about going out there and doing my job as a batsman and scoring runs.”

Originally published as Former Test captain Steve Smith says a return to the post ‘not on my radar’ after batting heroics