Tim Paine and Steve Smith
Tim Paine and Steve Smith (Image Credit: Getty)

Australian Test captain Tim Paine has thrown his weight behind former skipper and teammate Steve Smith, stating that he would support the latter in replacing him as the country’s next Test captain.

Steve Smith’s maiden stint at the helm of the Australian team ended in disastrous fashion following the ball-tampering scandal during the 2018 South African tour.

Steve Smith, Tim Paine
Steve Smith, Tim Paine. Image-Twitter

Smith was subsequently handed a 12-month ban from international cricket and a two-year ban from leading Australia and Tim Paine was installed as the Test captain.

However, with Paine losing two home series against India in the last three seasons and Smith’s ban expiring, murmurs have started in the Australian cricketing circle about the champion batsman taking over the job following the incumbent’s retirement.

And, Tim Paine is more than ready to back his former captain get reinstated in the job.

“I think so. Obviously, I don’t make that decision but the time I played with Steve as captain he was excellent. Certainly tactically he is as good as you,” said Tim Paine as quoted by Fox Cricket.

Steve Smith
Steve Smith (Image Credit: Twitter)

Tim Paine further added that Steve Smith was thrown into the role at a young age and he was growing in his capacity as a leader before the events in South Africa brought a pre-mature end to his stint.

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“He’s probably a bit like me when I was at the start of my captaincy journey in Tasmania — he was thrown into a very big role at a very, very young age and he probably wasn’t quite ready for it. But by the time I came in he was growing into that role and getting better and better. Then obviously South Africa events happened and he’s not doing it anymore. But yeah I would support him getting that job again.” Tim Paine added.

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