Australia’s star batsman Steve Smith, who was dethroned as captain following the ball-tampering scandal in March 2018, has expressed interest to lead the national team again, if given an opportunity.
"I've certainly had a lot of time to think about it and 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 on Monday (March 29).
“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 now, that’s for sure,” he added.
See Also: No doubt Steve Smith would like to captain Australia again, says Tim Paine
Australian cricket was shaken to the core after cameras had caught Cameron Bancroft using sandpaper to alter the condition of the ball during the 2018 Cape Town Test. Subsequently, then captain Smith and his deputy Warner were given 12-month bans while Bancroft was handed a nine-month suspension under Cricket Australia's Code of Conduct.
Moreover, Smith was barred from a leadership position with the national team for two years whereas Warner was banned from holding the high-profile post for the rest of his career.
The turn of events saw Tim Paine taking over the reins of Australia’s Test side and Aaron Finch handling the captaincy of the white-ball formats.
Paine has since led Australia’s Test side with distinction, but the wicketkeeper-batsman will be 37 by the time Ashes 2021 starts at home. No wonder, the ageing Australian skipper has sparked the captaincy debate again.
“I’m always going to have to live with Cape Town regardless of whether I lead again or not. It’s always there,” Smith said. “I’ve been through all that now.
“Time keeps moving forward, and I’ve learnt so much the last few years about myself and grown as a human being. I feel as though I’d be in a better place if the opportunity did come up.
“If it doesn’t, that’s fine as well and I’d support whoever is in charge the same way I’ve supported Tim and Finchy. I haven’t always felt like I wanted to do it again. That’s only come in the last little bit.”
