Although it is Tim Paine who will lead Australia’s troops in the next home series against India, the questions revolve around Steve Smith. The right-handed hitter was sacked as Australia’s captain in 2018 after he was suspended for 12 months for his role in the ball-handling scandal. But now that Smith is back on the team, fans continue to wonder if he will ever return as captain of Australia.
Former Australia captain Mark Taylor believes time may be running out for Smith to return as Australia captain. Speaking with the Sydney Morning Herald, Taylor said Steve would be considered only after Paine remains on the test team.
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“I think what will potentially work against him is how long Tim Paine will play,” Taylor was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald. “If he’s still there at 37, 38, then it may be too late for Steve. On the contrary, if in the next year or so the way Tim [drops] or give it away, I’d like to think Steve would be considerate, ”he added.
“Yes, some mistakes were made a couple of years ago, I still feel to this day that I was very cautious about the mistakes that he made and I don’t think it will happen again. I would not rule him out of being Australia captain in the future, “said Taylor.
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Speaking about Paine’s performance as captain of the test, Taylor said: “I think he did a very good job, don’t get me wrong, but I also think he took over at such a difficult time and the cricket side was at a level so low there was a lot of room for improvement, let’s put it that way. “
“There is no doubt that he was named captain because he was a high-level cricketer in Australian cricket, with a good head on, and therefore the right man for the job at the right time,” he added.
Meanwhile, Australia will face India in 3 ODI, 3 T20I and 4 Tests.
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