LET HIM GO

Punter’s blast as critics slap Smith for ‘interfering’

RICKY Ponting has dismissed criticism of the on-field influence of Steve Smith during the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, saying Tim Paine would be “silly” not to utilise the former skipper’s experience.

Smith has held animated discussions with spin bowler Nathan Lyon and given direction to fielders during his first Test back from the 12-month ban for his role in the balltampering scandal in South Africa last year.

Some have argued Smith — who is banned from holding a formal leadership role until March 2020 — is undermining Paine’s position, but ex-skipper Ponting says he has no issue with the situation.

“I read a bit of that stuff this morning, with people online going on about the fact he shouldn’t be doing it because he’s not captain,” Ponting told cricket.com.au.

“That’s an absolute load of rubbish.

“He’s not captain, he’s not tossing the coin and he’s not picking the team. But an experienced guy like him with a cricket brain that he’s got, Tim would be silly to not try and tap into that and not try to use him when he can.”

Smith himself said he had a responsibility as a senior player to offer his opinion on the field following his century on the opening day.

Ponting said he would have no issue with Smith being restored to the captaincy when his leadership ban expires next year. “If the hierarchy at Cricket Australia have an issue with him ever being captain again, they would have given him a life ban, wouldn’t they?

“By banning him for just an extra 12 months, they think it’s OK for him to come back. So if the authorities think it’s OK, I’m happy with it as well.”

STEVE Smith’s year in exile has failed to quench his insatiable appetite for runs and records.

Smith admitted after a remarkable knock of 144 at Edgbaston, which rescued Australia on day one of the first Ashes Test, that he fell out of love with cricket while serving a 12-month ban.

But as he almost effortlessly made it twin tons in the series opener last night, having marched to 104 not out shortly after lunch while scoring freely on day four in Birmingham, it became clear he may have come back better than ever.

Travis Head was the only man out in the first session, caught behind flashing outside off. But Tasmanian Matthew Wade came in and marched to 16 not out soon after the break.

Smith, whose overall Test average moved past 62 as he frustrated England last night, provided countless fodder for statisticians to research and revel in before the Cape Town cheating scandal.

The former skipper looks set to continue that trend in England during coming weeks.

Smith has already snatched one record, edging past Mark Waugh’s mark of 199 for most runs in an Edgbaston Test by an Australian.

The talented batsman has also become the second player to pass 50 in six consecutive Ashes innings. Celebrating hundreds in each innings of a Test wass one of few achievements to have eluded Smith before last night’s heroics.

“It’s the Steve Smith show again,” Shane Warne said in commentary on Sky. “It really is amazing to watch him play.

“If you bowl anything resembling a bad ball, he’ll hit it to the boundary. It’s the sign of a good player.”