Ponting bats for Smith leading Australia after Paine

Ponting bats for Smith leading Australia: Former Australian captain expressed his views regarding who should be their next captain.

Despite Australia captain Tim Paine doing the best that he can in terms of leading the current Australian team, there are apprehensions with respect to whether he can be a long-term option.

Paine, 34, made a comeback into the Australia Test team after seven years during the Ashes last year. Lesser did he know that he would be leading Australia after eight matches.

All the happenings of Cape Town promoted Paine up the ranks in the Australian setup. Come the ODI series against England earlier this year, Paine was given the leadership role in ODIs as well. With Australia losing the series 0-5, opening batsman Aaron Finch was handed the role, which Paine admitted was always on the cards.

Among one of the notable names to have commented upon who should succeed Paine is legendary Australian captain Ricky Ponting. Speaking during the lunch break on the first day of the Test at Melbourne, Ponting advocated for banned Australian captain Steve Smith to lead the side after serving his ban.

On being asked about Australia’s captain after Tim Paine, Ponting was quoted, “I think it will be Steve Smith when he comes back in. I think that’s the way to go. I think by then he would have served whatever penalty he needs to serve.

“We know he had a 12-month playing ban and another 12-month captaincy staying away from him. But I think he will lead Australia again.”

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It is worth mentioning that Smith’s ban will end in March next year. However, he will have to wait for another 12 months to be able to be eligible to lead Australia again.

Read some of the latest Twitter reactions on Smith below: