After Cameron Bancroft’s controversial statement about the ball tampering scandal, the Australian team was back under the scanner just when there were some talks about Steve Smith leading the Australian side again after Tim Paine.

While a lot of experts had no objection in Smith leading the Aussie side again, former England skipper David Gower said that he feels the right-hand batsman captaining the national side again will only create problems.

“People love rehashing an old scandal, I think if Steve is offered the captaincy again, or if they consider that, there will be problems because people will instantly latch on to what we’ve been talking about,” Gower told Fox Cricket’s Road to the Ashes Podcast.

The former England cricketer then praised the current Australian skipper Tim Paine for his exceptional leadership as he said that Smith won’t be getting the captaincy before Paine retires.

Ponting says Australia better off playing Ashes with less Tests as they are draining mentally

“From my perspective, Tim’s done a remarkably good job dealing with all the fallout of from the ball tampering scandal. We know he’s not going to do that (Smith leading Australia) until Tim Paine (retires),” the 64-year-old said.

“He’s had his own performances to worry about, of course, but I think he’s done a pretty good job, so for Tim the ultimate finish to a captaincy career would be to win the Ashes come your summer, so that would be a fitting way if he can. He’s proven himself a strong character since then,” he added.

Australia will be hosting England for Ashes 2021-22 slated to begin from 8 December before which Tim Paine and Co. will be playing one-off Test match against Afghanistan in November.

(With Fox Cricket Inputs)