Smith can lead Aus once again: Taylor
MELBOURNE: Banned former Australia skipper Steve Smith has received a big boost to his chances of leading the national team in future. Smith, who was handed one-year playing suspension and two-year leadership ban for his role in ball-tampering scandal in South Africa, has now found backing from former Australian skipper and Cricket Australia director Mark Taylor to lead the national side again.
Contrary to the views of many former Australian greats including Ian Chappell, who thought that Smith would never be considered for a leadership position in Australia, Taylor believed that the 28-year-old New South Wales player was guilty of only negligence and not cheating, and therefore, should be considered to lead the side in future.
“I still think Steve Smith can captain Australia,” Taylor said during the Nine Network’s Sports Sunday programme.
When asked who he thinks should be the long-term captain for Australia, Taylor, who had presented Smith with a captaincy blazer in 2014, said this.
“Steve Smith to me, and everyone wants to label people, is not a cheat. Steve Smith was guilty of negligence in my opinion.
“He saw something going on and he didn’t stamp it out. That’s a mistake of negligence.
“He’s not a cheat, he’s a very good person.
“I think if he ever does come back and captain Australia it will make him a better captain,” Taylor said.
Smith returned to Australia a few days back after spending a time out with his fiancé Dani
Willis in the United States of America. On his return, he shared a picture of himself with his fiancé on Instagram and thanked everyone from cricket fraternity for extending support to him. He also said that he is determined to get back to Australian team.
Smith can return to Australian team for next year’s World Cup and Ashes in England. However, he can be considered for a leadership position only after the end of March 2019.