Former Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Ian Healy has said that making Steve Smith the team leader for the Ashes – in Brisbane in a fortnight’s time – “will add to the circus”, noting that Tim Paine is already in charge as Test captain. Has left the post on behalf of the side in the wake of the sexting scandal.
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Smith, his deputy David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were banned by Cricket His role in the ball-tampering episode of Australia (CA) for varying periods, not more than a year – in the 2018 Test series in South Africa – also known as the sandpaper-gate scandal.
Following this episode, Paine was given the reins of the Australian Test team and Justin Langer became head coach. But with Penn now in the midst of a sexting scandal involving a former Cricket Tasmania official, Australian legend Healy feels that making Smith the captain will not do Australian cricket any good, given the developments of the past few days.
“We are going to add to the circus after that (the Tim Paine episode) by being hired by Steve Smith. I don’t mind Steve Smith captaining Australia again; He paid a heavy price for just being a lazy captain, that’s all he was to blame for,” Healy said. Sports Day With Sat and Jass on Tuesday.
“A lot of people around there think that he was actually scratching that ball in South Africa, but if they forgot what happened he would be able to pull Reigns as captain and stop what was about to happen. Wasn’t aware enough.” Healy added.
“That was his (Smith) crime, and he got a year (ban) for it. So, I don’t have a problem, but I don’t think he needs to come as vice-captain or directly after Penn’s discretion.”
Speaking on the issue of Paine giving up his captaincy after being embroiled in the scandal, Healy said, “Paine resigned his (choice), Cricket Australia said he could stay and the coach wanted him to remain, (But) he just didn’t want to distract me in this circus.”
Smith captained Australia in 34 Tests before 2018, in which he led them to 18 wins, 10 losses and six draws. The top-order batsman’s average of 61.8 is the second highest by any batsman in more than 40 innings.
Australia could look to pacer Pat Cummins to replace Paine, with Smith likely to be his deputy, but who will lead the side in the Ashes, starting December 8, is yet to be decided.
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