Steve Smith Praises Tim Paine's Captaincy

Tim Paine has been a terrific captain for the Australian cricket team in the longest format of the game. Even if he has failed to perform as a batsman, he has fared well as a captain. Paine took over the mantle from Steve Smith after the latter was banned for one year for his alleged role in the ball-tampering scandal.

The 35-year-old Paine drew plaudits from every nook and corner of the cricket fraternity after helping his team retain the Ashes in England for the first time in 18 years. Australia coach Justin Langer is pleased with the way Tim Paine has marshalled his troops so far.

Langer was also asked whether Paine would remain the captain if Australia reach the final of the ICC World Test Championship and to which the coach said Pant should play as long as possible because of his incredible captaincy.

Tim Paine has done a terrific job as captain: Steve Smith

There have also been talks that Steve Smith is a natural leader and that national captaincy could well return to him in the future. However, for Steve Smith, Tim Paine has been doing his job really well as a captain.

Speaking to news agency IANS, Steve Smith disclosed the epic moment in Tim Paine’s career. He said retaining the Ashes in enemy soil was indeed an exceptional effort while adding that Paine has led the team exceptionally well.

“Yeah, Tim’s done a terrific job. He has led the troops really well. Obviously retaining the Ashes in England in twenty-odd years was an exceptional effort and yeah he has led the team exceptionally well,” he added in a statement.

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