Steve Smith is not yet in the minds of selectors as the captain of Australia for the near future. Smith was removed from the captaincy of Australia after the infamous ‘Sandpaper’ ball-tampering saga 2 years ago in South Africa. Smith was handed a one year ban by Cricket Australia and gave the Test captaincy to Tim Paine.

After returning to cricket Smith has played under Aaron Finch in white-ball cricket and Paine in Tests. After his prolific form in the last year’s Ashes in England, many wanted Smith to be reinstated as Australian captain. Smith’s leadership ban has also expired but the selectors have not shown any interest in giving him the captaincy controls again.

Steve Smith As Captain Of Australia Not In The Discussion Yet

Today Australia announced a 17-man squad for the Test series against India that will kick off from December 17. Tim Paine stays as the captain of the side whereas Pat Cummins has been named as the vice-captain. Trevor Hohns selectors chairman has confirmed that Steve Smith as captain is not even discussed yet among the selection committee.

“All I can answer to that one is that discussion hasn’t been had yet. That’s difficult to say, he will obviously be – probably a contender but whether we go down that path or not depends on when that arises,” Hohns said bluntly in a video call with reporters.

“Tim Paine hasn’t gone yet, put it that way, so we’ll worry about that in due course”, he added.

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Meanwhile, Tim Paine who is currently 36 may not continue as captain of Australia in Tests for a long time. Smith will certainly be the prime contender when Paine decides to step down from captaincy.

As far as ODI and T20I captaincy is concerned Finch has done a commendable job and Steve Smith might not again become a captain in white-ball cricket.

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