Steve Smith right choice as captain to replace Michael Clarke, writes Robert Craddock
AUSTRALIA should be applauded for its boldness — Steve Smith is a worthy choice as its 45th Test captain.
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AUSTRALIA should be applauded for its boldness — Steve Smith is a worthy choice as its 45th Test captain.
No one would have quibbled had Brad Haddin landed the job for the Gabba Test and beyond.
But what would it have achieved?
SMITH CONFIRMED AS 45TH TEST SKIPPER
THE YEAR THAT MADE SMITH A LEADER
Haddin will be gone within a year.
Test cricket has a history of proving if you are good enough your are old enough.
Birth dates don’t matter anywhere near as much as people think they do.
Smith at 25 is a year younger than Greg Chappell was when he took over the Test captaincy and most felt the timing for Chappell was perfect.
New Zealand’s Steve Fleming, rated one of the best captains of the modern era, was 23 when he became the first man through the gate.
The world laughed when South Africa appointed Graeme Smith captain at 22 but he later became the most successful captain in Test history.
Of course Australia would have liked Smith to be initially eased through the vice-captaincy.
But with Michael Clarke perhaps gone forever Australia had to move quickly.
Another year of learning would have been great for Smith but no-one arrives as Test captain fully formed for the role.
Many of Australia’s greatest leaders took uncertain steps when they initially became the first man through the gate.
Even Steve Waugh was tentative and second guessed himself when he first took over the role in 1999. He blossomed into a leader of great stature.
Allan Border felt he was not ready for the role but embraced it and grew into it.
Smith is growing up as a man and a player.
It will be exciting to watch him grow further.
Of course he will have stumbles.
This Australia team is full of players who have great form or none at all.
They will be hot one day, cold the next will give Smith plenty of sleepless nights.
But that’s part of the challenge for young man ready for the ride of his life.
Originally published as Steve Smith right choice as captain to replace Michael Clarke, writes Robert Craddock
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