David Warner, Steven Smith, Australia T20I team, T20I tri-series 2018
David Warner will have a crucial role in South Africa. Image credits: Getty Images

The continued absence of Steven Smith from the Twenty20I format has raised quite a few questions about his future as T20I skipper with David Warner doing the job to perfection, it has further added to it.

Warner seems to be the perfect man for this role on a long-term basis, keeping in mind Smith’s continues absence from the side.

David Warner, Steven Smith, Australia T20I team, T20I tri-series 2018
Steven Smith hasn’t played any T20I contest since 2016. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

It has been almost two years since he has played a T20I contest. His last appearance in this format came way back in 2016 during the semi-final of T20I World Cup against India.

Smith was all set to play his first T20I after one-and-half year against India but a shoulder injury ruled him out.

David Warner again led the team in his absence. With the left-handed batsman performing the job on a regular basis, he is touted to be the best man for the job.

However, he still feels that it’s up to the captain (Smith) to decide his role in the T20I format.

“At the end of the day, it’s up to Steve. If he thinks his workloads are too high and he doesn’t feel like he can do that, I’m sure he’ll put his hand up and step aside. We spoke about one of us in the leadership group staying back and leading the (T20) team, and obviously I put my hand up for that,” he said.

Ironically, Smith-led Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, Rising Pune Supergiant in the T20 league last year. In fact, he is all set to again lead a team in the league as he has been appointed as the captain of Rajasthan Royals.

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Smith filled the shoes of MS Dhoni last year and led the team to the final of IPL.

Presently, he is in South Africa with the Test team, to prepare for the four-match Test series. The team has reached their early and is all set to play a practice game as well, starting on February 22.

David Warner, Steven Smith, Australia T20I team, T20I tri-series 2018
Australia will play the final of the T20I series under David Warner. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Australia’s T20I side is ready for the final of the T20I series. They (Australia) will up against hosts, New Zealand in the final at Eden Park in Auckland.

The David Warner-led side won all the four games in the league stage.

On the other hand, Kiwis could just win one out of four contests. It was the better NRR that saw them book a place in the final.

Should Australia continue their winning run, the series win will definitely pile up more questions for Smith regarding his future in this format of the game.

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