Hope Steve Smith does captain Australia again one day, says Tim Paine

Steven Smith was leading the team before being suspended for a year following the infamous Sandpaper Gate. He returned to Test action in the recently-concluded Ashes where he picked up from where he had left. He went on to score 774 runs in seven innings. While he was given heaped with praises for his heroics with the bat, many also stressed that should take over the reins from current skipper Tim Paine. But unfortunately, Smith cannot assume any leadership for a year now as a part of the punishment for his part in the Sandpaper Gate. 

Paine, however, said that he is looking forward to the day when Smith will assume leadership and will be fully supportive of the move. 

“I’m enjoying having the job at the moment... and I certainly hope Steve Smith does captain Australia again one day, and if he does, I’ll be fully supportive of it,” he told the Daily Telegraph.

The 34-year-old has done well to hold on to the Test captaincy despite all the criticism around his ever declining form with the bat. Paine, who will be joining Channel Seven's commentary panel instead of playing in the BBL this season, would have breathed a sigh of relief as he ended a 13-year century drought in the first-class cricket recently as he brought up the second ton of his first-class career.