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Steve Smith makes huge call on Australian cricket captaincy

riley morgan
Sports Reporter
·2-min read
Steve Smith and David Warner talking to the players at The Gabba on January 17, 2021 in Brisbane, Australia.
Steve Smith (pictured left) said he would be willing to take up the captaincy role again if it is offered. (Photo by Albert Perez - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

Mercurial batsman Steve Smith said he is ready to become Australian captain again, three years on the infamous ball-tampering scandal.

Smith was handed a 12-month ban from international cricket following the ball-tampering scandal that rocked Aussie cricket on the 2018 South Africa Tour.

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Captain at the time, Smith was also handed a two-year ban from a leadership role in the Australian team.

This saw Tim Paine takeover as Aussie captain of the Test outfit and Aaron Finch for the white-ball format.

Despite the year-long hiatus, Smith returned with an astonishing Ashes series and once again proved why he is considered one of Australia's greatest ever batsman.

Now, as the captaincy debate ramps up as Paine approaches his retirement, Smith has signalled his intention to take the role if offered.

"I guess now I've got to a point where if the opportunity did come up again I would be keen," Smith told News Corp.

"If it was what Cricket Australia wanted and it was what was best for the team at the time, it's certainly something I would be interested in.

"I'm always going to have to live with Cape Town regardless of whether I lead again or not. It's always there.

"Time keeps moving forward, and I've learnt so much the last few years about myself and grown as a human being."

Pat Cummins in line for captaincy

Fast bowler Pat Cummins is Australia's vice-captain and has declared his interest in stepping up to skipper.

He also captained the NSW Blues in a recent Sheffield Shield clash.

But Australia have traditionally shied away from handing the captaincy to a bowler.

Ray Lindwall was the last fast bowler to lead Australia, for one Test in India in 1956.

Pat Cummins wins the player of the series after day five of the 4th Test Match in the series between Australia and India at The Gabba on January 19, 2021 in Brisbane, Australia.
Pat Cummins wins the player of the series after day five of the 4th Test Match in the series between Australia and India at The Gabba on January 19, 2021 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Cricket Australia has not given an indication if it would be comfortable with Smith returning to the captaincy.

Smith was promoted to captain on a full-time basis after Michael Clarke retired following the 2015 Ashes.w

with AAP

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