Steve Smith has shown a distinct lack of enthusiasm towards Australia’s one-day cricket captaincy following the retirement of captain Aaron Finch from the 50-over format.
The Test vice captain is one of the obvious candidates to replace Finch. At the peak of his powers, Smith made a century in Cairns on Sunday to set up a 3-0 clean sweep against New Zealand. He was named Player of the Match and Series.
Steve Smith celebrates scoring a century during game three of the one -day international series against New Zealand in Cairns on Sunday.Credit:Getty Images
However, Smith, claimed he had no idea what he would do if the Cricket Australia board offered him the leadership position a year out from the next 50-over World Cup in India.
“I can’t say what would happen if they asked me,” Smith said late on Sunday night following Australia’s latest victory. “I don’t know. I honestly don’t know what to do right now.
“I’m getting old myself, so I’m probably the next one to retire,” he half-joked. “So we’ll see.”
Smith’s lack of enthusiasm for the one-day leadership coincides with New Zealand captain Kane Williamson becoming the latest senior cricket figure to endorse David Warner, who is still under a Cricket Australia leadership ban.
“The decision’s not mine, but I guess there are a few candidates and a few whispers of Davey,” said Williamson, who played with Warner in the IPL.
“I’ve spent time with him in the past, and certainly as a captain he understands the game very well.
“He’s captained teams in the past and I know Finchy speaks highly of him and his captaincy as well.
“I’m sure Finchy is part of those conversations. I suppose it just comes down to the type of leader that they would like and who best suits.
“Whether they’re thinking big picture or slightly shorter term, I guess that’s all part of the discussion.”
Glen Maxwell, captain Adam Finch and Steve Smith with the Chappell-Hadlee trophy in Cairns.Credit:Getty Images
Finch spoke glowingly of Warner’s leadership qualities during his one-day cricket retirement press conference in Cairns on Saturday.
“CA are revisiting I think what that looks like,” Finch said of Warner’s leadership ban. “He’s someone I’ve played under a few times when he’s had the opportunity to captain, and he’s been fantastic.
“He’s been an unbelievable tactical captain who at the time the guys loved playing under, but I’m not 100 per cent sure of CA’s position.
“Would I like to see it [the captaincy ban] overturned? Absolutely, because what he can offer, not just now as a player in that leadership space, but going forward for him to be able to coach and help the next generation of players come through is going to be so important for Australian cricket.
“He’s someone I think, you do your time and he’s well and truly done that I think.”
Test captain Pat Cummins is likely to rule himself out of white-ball leadership roles because of his workload as the world’s leading fast bowler, but in recent months has twice spoken publicly in support of overturning Warner’s leadership ban.
“Fundamentally, banning someone for life I disagree with,” Cummins said during Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka in June.
“People are allowed to learn and improve and grow. So yeah, fundamentally I disagree with that concept.
“He’s a fantastic leader around our squad here. If he has a formal role, he’d be fantastic with that as well. So if that ever came up, he’d be great.”
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