Steve Smith should be Australia’s Test and ODI captain if Michael Clarke returns, writes Ian Chappell

STEVE Smith should remain Australia’s Test captain and be appointed ODI skipper even if and when Michael Clarke does return, writes Ian Chappell.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 17: Australian captain Steve Smith signals to team mates during day one of the 2nd Test match between Australia and India at The Gabba on December 17, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

STEVE Smith might have a baby face but he has a very mature approach to cricket.

In just over 12 months he’s progressed from a battling, borderline international all-rounder to Australia’s 45th Test captain and premier batsman. He’s achieved this major turn around with a thoughtful, calm attitude and the sense of self-worth that allows him to do things his own way.

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In dissecting his batting, he’s gone from being described as crude but effective to a veritable run machine with shots all around the wicket. The ­attributes that stand out in his maturity as a batsman are his steely resolve to achieve success using his own method and his ability to forget what has just happened and concentrate on the only ball that matters — the next one.

The timing of his elevation to the captaincy was perfect. He was in the form of his life and Michael Clarke’s future was in serious doubt.

Nevertheless, not long after he set foot on the Gabba as captain, the euphoria wore off and reality set in.

A captain’s worst nightmare is having to operate with a bowler down. To have three trundlers in varying states of disrepair for periods of your first day as Test captain is a punishment no skipper ­deserves. Despite that major handicap, Smith persevered and eventually prospered.

Following a first day where Australia underperformed and slid to the brink of disaster, the team fought back to get the upper hand and push India into oblivion. Apart from his batting, Smith contributed to India’s demise with some good, attacking fields and imaginative bowling changes.

He was also able to cajole a much improved bowling performance without any histrionics, but with a thoughtful approach that commands respect. He provided extra inspiration with a technically perfect, brilliant slips catch.

And when things turned bleak, as the top order batting crumbled, he was stoic in defence and inventive in attack.

His attitude of calm perseverance paid off when Mitchell Johnson arrived at the crease to a cacophony of noise and Indian threats and launched a counter-attack that changed the game in an hour.

Smith did not sit by as Johnson wreaked havoc, but he also did not demand the spotlight as captain and the only remaining recognised batsman.

He allowed Johnson to have his head, exactly what you’d expect from a man who is comfortable in his role whether it be fledgling player or leader of the team.

Steve Smith received ample credit for his debut Australian Test captaincy performance.

Consistent with his calm approach to any situation, he sculpted a sixth century in his past 23 Test innings to become the ninth Australian skipper to score a hundred on debut.

His innings and rip-roaring partnership with Johnson transformed the match and set up Australia for victory.

This will be only the start of Smith’s success as captain. He has achieved a lot in a short time as a player and it would be surprising if he didn’t replicate that as a leader. He’s one of those quiet achievers who commands respect by thought and deed.

Having confirmed he is buoyed by the extra responsibility of captaincy, Smith now should be allowed to mould this side as “his team”.

There’s no certainty about when Clarke will return or, if he does, how long he will last, so it seems sensible to opt for a smooth course of continuity.

The plan should be for Smith to remain captain if and when Clarke does return. And, again for the sake of continuity, it also seems sensible to appoint Smith as captain of the one- day side for the triangular series against India and ­England, to be followed by the World Cup.

There may be the odd occasion when it makes sense to split the Australian captaincy.

However, when you have a captain who is well-respected, is guaranteed his place in the side and has the ability to ­inspire his team, there seems to be no point in not having him as the full-time leader.

Smith has come the full ­circle in a short time.

Originally published as Steve Smith should be Australia’s Test and ODI captain if Michael Clarke returns, writes Ian Chappell