Mark Taylor Backs Steven Smith to Be Australia's Captain Once Again

Former Australian captain, Mark Taylor backed banned cricketer, Steven Smith to be the captain of the national team in long-term future.

Steven Smith is currently serving a 12-month ban after being found guilty in the ball tampering scandal. The incident did shake the cricketing world when Cameron Bancroft used sandpaper to get the advantage in the Cape Town Test against the Proteas.

An investigation was soon put in place by Cricket Australia after which Steven Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were found guilty. Cricket Australia handed the trio bans based on the level of offences they made during the incident.

Steven Smith was handed a 12-month ban from representing Australia and another 12-month on considering him for the skipper role.

The 28-year old finally found some backing from Mark Taylor after the likes of Ian Chappell expressed his opinions over Steven Smith as Australian skipper in the future.

“Steve Smith to me, and everyone wants to label people, is not a cheat. Smith was guilty of negligence in my opinion. He saw something going on, and he didn’t stamp it out. That’s a mistake of negligence. He’s not a cheat; he’s a very good person. I think if he ever does come back and captain Australia it will make him a better captain,” Taylor said.

Steve Smith Thanked Fans For Support

The Australian cricketer has had some of the most terrible days in his life over the past couple of months. Smith was removed as Australian skipper and then stripped off his IPL contract for this year as well.

However, Smith has expressed his determination to do everything within his range to represent Australia again. He also took some time off and went to the United States of America. He returned to Australia a few days back and shared a message for all the supporters.

Smith could be back in the Australian team next summer. He might even play Indian Premier League next season and then represent his nation in the World Cup.

The talented player is one of the best players, Australia had produced in the modern era.

It would be quite harsh for the fans and the cricketing community to judge him based on only one incident. He will be eligible to lead Australia in March 2020.