Adam Gilchrist, the former Australian wicket-keeper, has asked for the confusion regarding Steve Smith’s position as the future captain of Australia to be cleared out.
Steve Smith was the skipper of the Australian Test side until he was suspended for a year along with then vice-captain David Warner because of the infamous sandpaper gate or ball-tampering incident in 2018.
Adam Gilchrist: No Reason For Steve Smith Not To Be Given A Second Chance
After that incident which also resulted in the stripping of Steve Smith’s captaincy, Tim Paine has served as the captain of the Australian side. Still, with Tim Paine not too far away from his retirement as he is already 36, there has been talking regarding Steve Smith being assigned the role of captain once again.
Adam Gilchrist said that he does not see any reason why Steve Smith should not be given a second chance, and further added that if Steve Smith was ready for assuming the role, then he should be made the vice-captain of the team immediately.
“I see no reason why someone shouldn’t have a second chance and if part of that is the captaincy for Steve Smith, if he’s the right guy and the most obvious candidate, I can’t see a reason why he shouldn’t be allowed to do it,” Gilchrist told Fox Sports.
“If Cricket Australia and the selectors feel that way, and Steve Smith is keen to do it, I think they should make him vice-captain immediately. And whenever those opportunities come up when Painey finishes, when Finchy finishes he just assumes it like any normal, natural progression,” Adam Gilchrist said.
Aaron Finch has led Australia in 41 ODIs and 39 T20Is, but he also is on the wrong side of 30. In May 2018, Tim Paine was named ODI captain for the series in England. However, following Australia’s 5-0 ODI whitewash defeat to England, Aaron Finch replaced him as ODI Captain. Tim Paine is also not in the form as he is yet to score a ton even after 31 test appearances.
Cricket Australia Should Clear The Confusion: Adam Gilchrist
Adam Gilchrist’s comments gain significance as Matthew Wade was made the Australian skipper for the second T20I match against India after Aaron Finch was ruled out of the game owing to injury. Steve Smith, who scored two tons in first two ODIs was part of the team for that game.
Adam Gilchrist further mentioned that Cricket Australia needs to figure the problem of captaincy out and make things clear for Steve Smith and everyone else.
“It takes out all the speculation and allows Steve to know, everyone to know, what the journey is going to be.
“It allows the natural progression to happen without the speculation. By doing that it means that when the captaincy changes there’s not all this hype and uncertainty around it and focus being taken away from the cricket. It just means everyone is clear that’s going to happen.
“There are two issues. (One), should he be allowed to do it? I think he should be allowed to do it. Secondly, if they feel that that’s the right decision they should make him vice-captain now,” Adam Gilchrist added.
Steve Smith-led Australia in 34 tests before the disastrous tour to South Africa where the ball tempering incident occurred after which Tim Paine led in 19 tests. He also led in 51 ODIs before Aaron Finch took over.