Smith on radar of CA sponsor despite ban

THE dramatic drop in star power donning the baggy green this summer has been highlighted by the fact at least one Cricket Australia sponsor has still tried to use banned captain Steve Smith.

Cricket Australia confirmed one of its official corporate partners asked about using Smith in promotional material, but it is understood another may have sounded out the former skipper as well.

Interested sponsors have been told there is nothing preventing them entering into a separate arrangement with Smith, but the fact he doesn’t have a cricket contract excludes him from any partnership agreements with CA.

Smith’s manager Warren Craig declined to comment.

Individual deals with CA sponsors Weet-bix and Commonwealth Bank were ended by the ball-tampering scandal.

Some CA partners have already shot promotional material with players but other advertising shoots are scheduled in the next two weeks.

The void left by Smith and Warner in the batting order is immense, but the loss of their instant marketability and star power is just as profound.

Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon shape as the most in-demand stars for official partners, but CA said others had been requested who were unavailable due to commitments overseas with Australia A in India or English county cricket.

“There are a limited number of contracted players available during the filming window, due to commitments with the Australia A tour and County contracts,” it said.

“We try to work with our partners in the best way possible to deliver the players they request.”