Former Australia captain-turned-commentator Ricky Ponting has, on Tuesday (October 15), voiced his opinion on the debate whether Steve Smith should take over from Tim Paine once his ban ends.

Paine, however, has been doing a fine job as Australia Test captain, but his poor decision making during the Ashes 2019 led to much criticism of his leadership. And now it seems that Paine is close to the end of his career as Australia Test captain, as Smith could once again take the reins with his leadership ban ending next March.

At the moment, Smith is serving a leadership ban of 12 months for his role in the ball-tempering scandal in South Africa in March 2018 having already served a one-year ban from the game.

Read Also: Tim Paine says Steve Smith will return as Australia captain one day

Following his remarkable show in the Ashes 2019 in England, many have been suggesting to bring Smith back, but Ponting believes that handing the Test captaincy to former captain when Tim’s time is up would be a wise move for the home side.

Ponting told 7NEWS, “It’s the million-dollar question: when Steve Smith’s ban is up will he go straight back into the captaincy or will he not? To be honest I think it’s up to Tim how long he plays.”

The legendary captain further explained, “He’s the best keeper in the world. Whether that’s as captain or not that’s up to the hierarchy at Cricket Australia to make that decision. I’ve been on record already when Tim’s time is up, I’d like to see Steve Smith have another go. I think he probably feels like there’s unfinished business there as far as his captaincy’s concerned. He’s got to want to do it and obviously then the authorities have to say yes or no.”

Meanwhile, Paine has been criticized for his poor form with the bat but the 35-year-old shut his all critics by hitting a Sheffield Shield century after 13 years. However, Ponting feels Smith is the right man to lead Australia once Paine hangs his boots.

He further added, “You’ve got to look at who’s the best man for the job as far as the captaincy’s concerned. If it’s not Tim and it’s not Steve, I’m not sure who the next one is right now. I think that’s the big question that needs to be answered. (Smith) loves the responsibility, there’s no doubt about that.”

Ponting was also confident that Smith’s batting performance will not be hindered if he returns to captaincy duty for Australia. He signed off by saying, “If he’s captain again I don’t think it’ll hinder his batting at all. If it’s the right thing for the team to have him captain we’ll win more games as a result of that.”

(With 7NEWS Inputs)