Jasprit Bumrah, Jason Gillespie, Indian National Cricket Team,
Jason Gillespie (Credits - Getty)

Former Australian pacer, Jason Gillespie believes that Steve Smith could be given back the captaincy duty of the Australian team. Smith’s captaincy ban ended earlier in the year, and the right-hander is now eligible to lead his country again on the cricket field.

Cricket Australia banned Steve Smith along with David Warner and Cameron Bancroft for their involvement in the infamous ball-tampering saga against South Africa in March 2018.

Smith was handed a year ban from cricket, and an additional year from the captaincy role. Warner cannot become Australia’s captain for a lifetime. Tim Paine was rushed into Test captaincy and Aaron Finch was made the limited-overs skipper.

Steven Smith, David Warner, Sandpaper for sale
Steve Smith with David Warner. (Credits – Getty)

After serving their bans, both the stalwarts made their international returns and have fared out brilliantly for Australia. In fact, Smith has regained his numero uno position in the ICC Test batsman ranking.

Steve Smith Has Wiped The Slate Clean, Time To Move Forward: Jason Gillespie

Jason Gillespie, in a recent interview with Sportskeeda, said that at the time of the incident in South Africa he was furious with Smith, and wouldn’t want him to lead Australia ever again. However, with time the fast bowler has softened his stance.

“The captaincy is in very safe hands with Tim Paine. I remember initially when Smith was out of the team and he came back in, I initially felt he shouldn’t be made the captain again. But on reflection, I fully change my stance,” Jason Gillespie said.

For A Ball-Tampering Mistake, They Have Paid More Than Any Other Player In The History Of The Game: Jason Gillespie
Steve Smith [Photo-Cricket Australia]
While ICC suspended them for just one match, it was Cricket Australia who was adamant about a strong statement in front of the world. Hence, Jason Gillespie understands that the three cricketers were banned for a lot more time than they should have for their ball-tampering mistake. He asserts that Steve Smith and David Warner have suffered more than they should have.

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The 45-year-old opined that they have wiped the slate clean by serving their year-long ban without any objections; it is time to move forward. The former pacer wouldn’t have any issues if Smith is reinstated as the captain once again.

“I think we’ve seen in the past, people make mistakes, he and Warner have paid for their mistakes more than any player in the history of the game. Once they took their punishment like men, that’s been done, so wipe the slate clean and move forward. I just believe I wouldn’t have a problem with that,” Jason Gillespie added.

Both the cricketers will be in action in the Test series against India. David Warner has been ruled out of the first Test in Adelaide, therefore, there will be added responsibilities on the shoulder of Australia’s best batsman.

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