“Happy to do whatever is best for the team” – Steve Smith clears air around captaincy return following “discussions”

“Happy to do whatever is best for the team” – Steve Smith clears air around captaincy return following “discussions”
Steve Smith

There was a time when Steve Smith led the Australia side across formats. But the infamous Sandpaper gate turned everything upside down for the batting maestro. Following the incident, Smith was banned for 12 months and was slapped a further year-long exile from any leadership role. While he has been on fire with the bat ever since his return to the side. He is yet to lead the side although with his year-long captaincy exile expired in March this year.

Following his one year ban, Aaron Finch has assumed the reigns in limited-overs. While Tim Paine has been leading the Test side. But speculations around his return to the role surfaced as Finch was ruled out of the second T20I. Many believed that Smith would step up as the stand-in skipper. But it was Matthew Wade who got the nod ahead of him.

Tim and Finch are doing really good jobs

Tim Paine and Aaron Finch

Weighing in on the matter, Smith informed that there were discussions around him assuming captaincy. And there is some time before he assumes the role again. He went on to add that he is glad to do anything for the team’s benefit. Smith shared that he is happy to see Finch and Paine flourishing in their respective rolls. Above all, he is comfortable with the role he is playing at the moment and that should be all that matters for the Kangaroos.

“There were discussions taking place. I think JL (coach Justin Langer) answered the question when asked about me and captaincy,” Smith was quoted by Times Now. For me, I just said I am happy to do whatever is best for the team and that’s the same going forward. I do whatever I can for the team. Right now, I think Tim and Finchy are doing really good jobs in both formats of the game,” he added.

“I’m comfortable with where I’m at right now, but as I’ve always said I will do what is best for the team.“

Aussie coach Justin Langer earlier told reporters there was “a bit of a process” to go through before Smith could captain again, without going into details. And the flamboyant batsman went on to reiterate the coach’s words.

“I think whenever there is a captain chosen, you go through a process, you go through the board and things like that, and other people are spoken to,” he said. I’m sure it won’t be too dissimilar, but I’m not really sure. That’s all that has been said to me, and we will let it rest for now. The guys at the moment are doing really good jobs, and I’m really comfortable where everything is at.“

Also read : “He could open the batting if need be” – Michael Clarke calls for Matthew Wade to open in Adelaide Test