Michael Clarke, Criticize, Steven Smith, Peter Nevill, Matthew Wade, Ashes 2017-18
Michael Clarke retired from international cricket in 2015. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Michael Clarke is ready to step in as the captain of Australia Test team following the ‘Sandpaper Gate’ that happened on the third day of the third Test between Australia and South Africa.

“If I was asked by right people, then I would think about my answer,” Clarke said on Channel Nine’s Sports Sunday.

Steven Smith, the present Aussie captain, admitted that Cameron Bancroft tampered the ball at the behest of the team management.

Michael Clarke Ready To Step Up As Captain Of Australia Following Sandpaper Gate 1
Cameron Bancroft of Australia talks to the umpire on the third day of the third cricket test between South Africa and Australia at Newlands Stadium, in Cape Town, South Africa, Saturday, March 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Halden Krog)

Smith and whole team management was the part of the tampering attempt made by Bancroft.

Following this, questions have been raised about the captaincy of Smith as well.

He though cleared that he is not considering to step down from the captaincy post but there are high chances of Cricket Australia taking an action against him.

Should he be banned or any action is taken against him, David Warner will take over the captaincy by virtue of being the vice-captain.

However, if Cricket Australia decides to take strict measures and Clarke himself comes out to rebuild the team, he can make a comeback as the Test captain.

Michael Clarke, Criticize, Steven Smith, Peter Nevill, Matthew Wade, Ashes 2017-18
Clarke retired from international cricket in 2015. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Clarke retired from international cricket after Ashes loss in 2015.

Australia lost the five-match series by 3-2 and Clarke retired from international cricket post the comepletion of the series.

The same year, he had led Australia to their fourth World Cup title when they defeted New Zealand in the final in a one-sided affair.

Clarke played a total of 115 Tests in which he scored 8643 runs at 49.10.

On captaincy front, he led the side in 46 Test matches.

The Kangaroos posted a win in 23 matches while suffered a defeat in 16 matches.

Meanwhile, ICC wil take into consideration the actions of Bancroft.

A final decision over the matter will be taken post the completion of the Test match.

With the captain confirmng that he and whole team was in known of things, a major crackdown is expected to take place in the team.

It was in 2016 when Cricket Australia moved the axe and dropped six players for the third Test against South Africa after being hammered in the first two matches.

A similar sort of action is expected with a motive to keep the game clean and in good light.

Here is the news feed –

Cameron Bancroft concedes to charges of ball-tampering

Steven Smith admits to ball tampering allegations

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