Australian cricket has fully pardoned Steve Smith for his past cheating incident as captain, attributing it to the passage of time and his subsequent repentance and clean conduct. Smith, aged 36, is highly valued for his exceptional cricket skills and leadership qualities, especially crucial when facing England on home turf. Despite Australia’s public image of pride and principles, the need to outperform the English seems to overshadow such ideals at times.
Due to Pat Cummins’ back injury ruling him out of the upcoming Test in Perth, Andrew McDonald, the Australian coach, has confirmed Smith’s appointment as the stand-in captain. Smith’s reinstatement to a leadership role comes after a period of suspension following the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in 2018. Despite this, Smith has excelled as a leader in recent times, commanding the team effectively.
The Australian camp remains hopeful that Cummins will recover in time for the Ashes series, potentially returning for the second Test in Brisbane. However, the cautious approach towards Cummins’ injury suggests that Smith may lead the team for more than just one match. With an impressive batting average of 49.9 and a captaincy average of 68.98, Smith’s on-field performance and leadership abilities are highly regarded.
Smith’s temporary captaincy has seen Australia achieve a series of victories, erasing the tarnish of past controversies. The upcoming Ashes series, marked by the absence of the Barmy Army due to the pandemic, promises intense competition between Smith and Ben Stokes. Despite facing criticism from England fans post-ban, Smith remains poised for the challenge ahead, hinting at England’s playing style being unsuitable for Australian conditions.
The return of Smith as captain adds an extra layer of excitement to the Ashes series, setting the stage for a compelling battle on the field.
