After the Sandpaper Gate incident, Australian vice-captain Steve Smith was banned from worldwide cricket for a interval of 12 months. Wicket-keeper Tim Paine was made the brand new captain of the aspect and he emerged as a profitable chief as properly. Ashes 2019 was Smith’s first Test collection after his ban, and he did wonders with the bat.
Smith acquired a number of stick from England followers all through Ashes 2019, however he was head and shoulders above anybody else on that tour. In 4 matches, he scored 774 runs at a median of 110.57 courtesy of three centuries and three half-centuries. He performed an important half in serving to Australia to retain the Ashes.
Legendary Australian captain Ricky Ponting then predicted Smith to come back into the management function once more sooner or later. Apart from the enjoying ban, Cricket Australia additionally declared that Smith gained’t be thought-about within the decision-making group for a interval of not less than 12 months.
Ricky Ponting Predicted Steve Smith To Return To Leadership Rule After Retaining Ashes 2019
Talking to smh.com.au, Ponting stated that the Australian public could not like the choice, however Smith shall be again as captain of the aspect. Surprisingly, the followers in Australia additionally backed Ponting’s opinion as Smith was displaying no indicators of the ban on his performances. He gained the guts of individuals together with his excellent batting in Ashes 2019.
“Steve Smith – I think he will captain again, I don’t know what the Australian public might think about that.”
Ponting’s prediction proved to be proper as properly. Ahead of Ashes 2021-22, Paine was concerned in a sexting scandal and was faraway from the workforce. Pacer Pat Cummins was made the brand new captain Smith was formally again within the management function as he was appointed the vice-captain.
Cummins missed out on the Adelaide Test of Ashes 2021-22 and Smith lastly led the aspect after so lengthy. Australia gained that match by an enormous margin of 275 runs. He led the Australian workforce in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023 as properly when Cummins went residence to handle his mom.
Steve Smith Test Captaincy Record
Smith led Australia in a Test match for the primary time in 2014 towards India in Brisbane and the Aussies gained that match by 4 wickets. His final match as captain additionally got here towards India in 2023 in Ahmedabad which led to a draw.
Smith has captained Australia in 38 matches to date with 21 victories. In phrases of Test wins as Australian captain, he’s simply behind Ponting (48), Steve Waugh (41), Mark Taylor (26) and Michael Clarke (24). It might be stated that Smith has been one in all Australia’s finest batters and captain as properly.
