Smith still leading Aussies from front

STEVE Smith’s batting in this Ashes has epitomised leadership, as was the case at Old Trafford on Saturday during yet another pressure-laden score of substance that demoralised England.

Smith has enhanced his reputation as Australia’s go-to batsman in a time of crisis during a run-laden Test comeback from the Cape Town cheating scandal.

Cricket Australia’s board, chief executive Kevin Roberts, national coach Justin Langer and Smith are yet to consider the obvious upcoming leadership dilemma.

Everybody involved feels that such discussion is offensive to Tim Paine.

The wicketkeeper remains entrenched as captain and is on the cusp of retaining the urn in England, something that has proved beyond teams led by Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke during the past 18 years.

But as the end of Smith’s leadership ban – imposed as part of CA sanctions in response to the sandpaper saga – draws closer, the same questions will repeatedly be asked during the home summer.

Can Smith captain the team again? Will he? Should he?

Especially when the unique batsman has scored 671 runs at 134.2 this series to give him a shot of equalling Don Bradman’s peerless mark of 974 runs during the 1930 Ashes.

All while being denied three innings because of a Jofra Archer bouncer blow to the neck at Lord’s.

There has been a quality to the former captain’s quantity of runs too; Australia were 4-44 when he made a mockery of England’s attack on day four of the fourth Test.

“I’ve heard a few different things (about records broken this series) but I’m not in the game for personal accolades,” Smith said.

“I’m here to do my job and score as many runs for the team as I can.

“I like to get into those situations and try and be the one to take the team through.

“England were really up and about with us four down, but a good half an hour of batting and things got a bit easier.”

Smith’s 82, his lowest score of the series, came after a firstinnings 211.