Steve Smith gives captain Tim Paine green light to ‘tell me to shut up’
Steve Smith may very well regain the captaincy he lost two years ago in South Africa - but for now the world’s premier Test batsman is walking a delicate tightrope.
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Steve Smith has told Australian captain Tim Paine to put him in his place if his enthusiasm to offer tactical advice becomes overwhelming.
The deposed former skipper has strong opinions on the game he is not afraid to share, but worries he passes on too much to the new brains trust.
Ever since returning from his playing ban during the Ashes, Smith has been peppered with relentless questioning about his prospects of returning to the Test captaincy.
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Smith in many ways is in an impossible position, but has been diligent in not saying anything that could be misconstrued into making Paine feel in any way undermined, and was angered by a recent article where he felt his words were twisted against him.
It’s a delicate tightrope for Smith to navigate, and one he’s conscious of on the field as well.
Four days out from Australia’s opening Test against Pakistan at the Gabba, Smith wants to use his experience to help Paine, but he is equally happy to be told to put a sock in it.
“I throw my opinions out to Painey or Finchy (one-day captain, Aaron Finch), maybe too much,” he says.
“But I think I read the game reasonably well and anything I can do to help the team out and help the captain out, I’ll do that.
“I don’t know if I say too much, but I just help and make suggestions and things like that, and I have said to the guys, ‘if I’m saying too much, tell me to shut up.
“’I’m a big boy, I can take it.’
“But I want to help as much as possible.”
All indications are the advice from Smith and David Warner has been welcomed, particularly after the experience vacuum that existed with them not in the side.
Smith has said repeatedly he is not even thinking about the potential of rising to be skipper again.
It’s not something that can happen before March in any case when his 24-month leadership ban ends, and there is no evidence to suggest Paine won’t go on beyond this summer anyway.
Not to mention the fact, selectors may have other ideas about who the ultimate successor might be.
Smith bristled upon reading a recent article which he felt misquoted him as declaring he was a better batsman when captain – the inference being he might be coveting a return to the role.
As far as Smith is concerned, this is simply statistical fact.
In his 34 matches as Australian Test captain he averages 70.36.
In his 34 Test matches not as Test captain, he averages 59.17.
But he is eager to make the clear distinction that he does not believe captaincy makes any difference to his batting one way or the other.
“I read an article the other day and I think it was blown out of proportion, saying that I think I bat better when I’m captain,” he said.
“I think the stats would probably back up that that’s just fact. My record is better when I’m captain.
“I’m not saying that personally or saying that is how I feel. That’s just fact if that makes sense.
“Right now, I’m pretty chilled and I feel like I’m batting very well and everything feels good.
“I’m comfortable where things are at right now and as I’ve said a lot, Painey and Finchy are both doing really good jobs.
“It’s not actually anything I’m thinking about at this point in time.”
Originally published as Steve Smith gives captain Tim Paine green light to ‘tell me to shut up’