Steven Smith Captaincy Thread!

[Batman]

Very late declaration and there was no intent with the bat there. Simply defensive tactics from him today.

 

[Buffet]

His first series.

 

[Swanny]

His first series.

So ? Johnson, harris, lyon, watson arent exactly a noob attack.

He did a greame smith there imo.

 

[Buffet]

So ? Johnson, harris, lyon, watson arent exactly a noob attack.

He did a greame smith there imo.

Greame smith case was slightly different. If India had won that test there was no way for SA to win the series. That's not the case case here.

Anyway, I meant that you can't judge captaincy based on 1-2 tests. Specially if it's his first series. Give him 5-6 series to judge him.

 

[Mo_Ahmed84]

So ? Johnson, harris, lyon, watson arent exactly a noob attack.

He did a greame smith there imo.

)

First series, obviously a little scared of an indian fightback.
Wonder who called for the declaration, clarke and lehmann were seen down at th pitchside.

 

[TNA]

)

First series, obviously a little scared of an indian fightback.
Wonder who called for the declaration, clarke and lehmann were seen down at th pitchside.

Even Warner and others said they need more runs before they can declare. You cant single out the captain in respect to the entire teams direction.

 

[Gilly]

Looks like Smith outsmarted everyone here, declare so that india cant win and they will play defensive and he can bring the field in and put more pressure on. Its easier to get wickets when the batsmen are just trying to survive.

 

[adit_sh]

He is just lucky to have debuted against India. Any of Eng/NZ/SA would have demolished this Aus team.

But this is a smart move by him knowing that India cant even bat 60 overs on a 5th day

 

[Gilly]

He is just lucky to have debuted against India. Any of Eng/NZ/SA would have demolished this Aus team.

But this is a smart move by him knowing that India cant even bat 60 overs on a 5th day

In matches that would have Australia will lose every time, compare that to matches they actually did play they beat Eng/NZ/SA.

 

[hussain123]

In matches that would have Australia will lose every time, compare that to matches they actually did play they beat Eng/NZ/SA.

This aussie team is not a patch on the great side of late 90s and easly 00s,in ashes and the subsequent series against SA, it was mitchy who made all the difference,he was on a totally different pedestral to what he is now.as of now,

 

[Gilly]

This aussie team is not a patch on the great side of late 90s and easly 00s,in ashes and the subsequent series against SA, it was mitchy who made all the difference,he was on a totally different pedestral to what he is now.as of now,

I'm not going to argue with you, yes every team would beat Australia if they played them, in could have matches Australia are easy beats even Bangers could beat them. But in matches that have been played instead of fairytale matches its a different story.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Overall I am going to give him a pass, he has done well on paper but I dont think he is captaincy material, bring him down for a tour of India and that should have him out of captaincy and maybe even out of the team...

 

[hussain123]

I'm not going to argue with you, yes every team would beat Australia if they played them, in could have matches Australia are easy beats even Bangers could beat them. But in matches that have been played instead of fairytale matches its a different story.

Dont get me wrong.what I meant is comparatively, this side doesnt have that same substance and quality where by they can dictate the course of the game,most teams with good bowling attacks with fancy their chances, earlier beating aussies used to come a shock victory, today it passesoff just as another victory, take for example the defeat against pakistan, would you imagined it earlier, I think not

 

[Cricfan4eva]

Smart captaincy imo. Indian batting can't play for a draw, they know only one way to play.

 

[Junaids]

Looks like Smith outsmarted everyone here, declare so that india cant win and they will play defensive and he can bring the field in and put more pressure on. Its easier to get wickets when the batsmen are just trying to survive.

This wicket is still a road.

Smith's best chance of victory was to dangle a carrot in front of the donkey. If India had been set a vaguely chase-able target they would have taken some risks and lost more wickets.

But instead he has relied upon them to collapse to defeat for a third Test in a row.

 

[Little Master]

He is young and it is his first series as a captain so I think we shouldn't be this harsh in judging his captaincy specially with regards to the declaration. Maybe he was hoping for a collapse but with Jhonson looking insipid I doubt that would happen.

 

[Gilly]

This wicket is still a road.

Smith's best chance of victory was to dangle a carrot in front of the donkey. If India had been set a vaguely chase-able target they would have taken some risks and lost more wickets.

But instead he has relied upon them to collapse to defeat for a third Test in a row.

That was also the only way that Smith could lose the opportunity to wrap up this series. Was it a poor decision for a new captain to make sure his first series is a win. What would have been the reaction if Smith made a declaration and India went on to win the match then draw the series. You have to weigh up the risks and benefits and on this occasion Smith had far more to lose than win.

 

[JaDed]

That was also the only way that Smith could lose the opportunity to wrap up this series. Was it a poor decision for a new captain to make sure his first series is a win. What would have been the reaction if Smith made a declaration and India went on to win the match then draw the series. You have to weigh up the risks and benefits and on this occasion Smith had far more to lose than win.

Usually i don't see Kangaroos play like that imo.

 

[Gilly]

Usually i don't see Kangaroos play like that imo.

Each match has to be played on its merits, if Australia had McWarne then they would have played differently. Expecting a team to do exactly the same every match is a bit naïve, each and every match will require different responses, for instance if Australia needed to win this match because India were leading 2-0 then you can bet you last dollar they would have reacted differently. Everything needs to be considered, letting India bat with confidence could have cost him the match. By taking away Indias chance of winning puts the batsmen in a negative frame of mind and that induces collapses.

 

[JaDed]

Each match has to be played on its merits, if Australia had McWarne then they would have played differently. Expecting a team to do exactly the same every match is a bit naïve, each and every match will require different responses, for instance if Australia needed to win this match because India were leading 2-0 then you can bet you last dollar they would have reacted differently. Everything needs to be considered, letting India bat with confidence could have cost him the match. By taking away Indias chance of winning puts the batsmen in a negative frame of mind and that induces collapses.

Dude i totally agree with you on the situation every other cricket team's captain would had defn gone for such a declaration Aus on the other hand has always gone for the win that's how you guys seem to play most of the time even when you can draw it by batting you try for win that's why it was a bit odd taking nothing away from Smith imo its defn the sane decision and for all you know they can still win.

 

[Gilly]

Dude i totally agree with you on the situation every other cricket team's captain would had defn gone for such a declaration Aus on the other hand has always gone for the win that's how you guys seem to play most of the time even when you can draw it by batting you try for win that's why it was a bit odd taking nothing away from Smith imo its defn the sane decision and for all you know they can still win.

But you are comparing Smith with an Australian team that bristled with all time greats and had the confidence to do anything, that spilled over to Clarke who played with them but its a new Australian team now and it wont be the same as before.

 

[JaDed]

But you are comparing Smith with an Australian team that bristled with all time greats and had the confidence to do anything, that spilled over to Clarke who played with them but its a new Australian team now and it wont be the same as before.

You still got very good bowlers who can bat as well but i do agree your batting is imo pretty low comparatively except Warner and Smith but i get your point things have changed.

 

[Random Aussie]

In hindsight, too conservative. Not because India had any chance of scoring the runs but the time we wasted. But everyone's an expert in hindsight eh.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Smith's Australia met get rid of the milestone obsession. Smith delayed the declaration so that Marsh gets his century, which cost them a win.

 

[Swanny]

Thank you smith for your late declaration

 

[cricketindiafan]

I remember some Indian fans blamed India's downfall on the defensive mindset we showed when Dhoni refused to go for a chance of 86 runs in 15 overs in WI.

I wonder if Aus will go the same way now lol

 

[Junaids]

In hindsight, too conservative. Not because India had any chance of scoring the runs but the time we wasted. But everyone's an expert in hindsight eh.

Most of us called it right at the time.

Did Steve Smith never hear about Athers declaring when Hick was on 98* at the SCG twenty years ago?

Dhoni has never cared about history and I wouldn't expect him to know, but Smith should have. Very, very poor captaincy, and I wouldn't leave him in charge ever again. Poorest Australian Test captaincy that I have seen since the days of Kim Hughes - and that's 30 years ago.

 

[CricketCartoons]

If Dhoni was the captain in the first test, the series would be 1-0. But Kohli wanted to show bravado and could not ask his players to play out a draw. He still has to learn that a draw is always better than a loss. You survive to fight another day. Kohli's captaincy lost the series.

 

[Convict]

Nothing wrong with his declaration.

Won the series. It didn't make for great cricket (though it was pretty compelling for a time) but in the context of the series it was really India that needed to be aggressive in the morning.

I'm looking forward to Kohli's Captaincy reign

 

[Convict]

Most of us called it right at the time.

Did Steve Smith never hear about Athers declaring when Hick was on 98* at the SCG twenty years ago?

Dhoni has never cared about history and I wouldn't expect him to know, but Smith should have. Very, very poor captaincy, and I wouldn't leave him in charge ever again. Poorest Australian Test captaincy that I have seen since the days of Kim Hughes - and that's 30 years ago.

Did you forget Allan Border?

As you and I both know, Smith is going to have to Captain so very weak Australian sides in terms of batting.

He's not going to have the luxury to be as aggressive as Waugh/Ponting/Clarke

 

[anuk]

really expected more from smith. kohli wil make a more aggressive captain.

 

[Junaids]

Nothing wrong with his declaration.

Won the series. It didn't make for great cricket (though it was pretty compelling for a time) but in the context of the series it was really India that needed to be aggressive in the morning.

I'm looking forward to Kohli's Captaincy reign

Sure, India needed to make the running but with that bowling attack they are incapable.

The match was already almost unloseable overnight. The 23 overs consumed this morning really only reduced India's chance of victory from 5% to 0%, but also reduced Australia's chance of victory while massively increasing the likelihood of a draw.

I commented to the person I was with that each extra over used was just taking a couple of percentage points off the chance of a win and adding them to the chance of a draw. The risk of an Indian victory had already fallen to 0% by the fifth of the 23 extra overs that Australia faced - it just wasn't part of the equation after that.

India was never going to be able to risk an assault on the target for fearing of losing wickets and exposing the tail. And given that the wicket was a road, it was always going to require two new balls to knock them over.

 

[Junaids]

Did you forget Allan Border?

As you and I both know, Smith is going to have to Captain so very weak Australian sides in terms of batting.

He's not going to have the luxury to be as aggressive as Waugh/Ponting/Clarke

Fair comment, but I've forgotten the AB one. Can you remind me?

 

[Convict]

Fair comment, but I've forgotten the AB one. Can you remind me?

Some of the laters series he had against the Windies.

My only recollection is what I have been told or read but I can remember hearing that he was always defensive against the Windies to the point where it may have hampered Australia's chances of winning some tests in the early 90s

 

[spade]

terrible decision of overestimating our batting talent, poor field settings with 1 or 2 slips and showing no faith in his lead spinner, overall a forgettable day of his captaincy. Still very young into captaincy career so he'll definitely improve. An opportunity lost though from an Australian pov.

 

[OZGOD]

Smiffy has explained the reason for the timing of his declaration.

If a captain is to be judged on the result of a series, then Smith has delivered while standing in for Michael Clarke. It did not stop criticism of his delayed declaration and Australia's slow scoring during a rainy final morning. The Australian way, the coach Darren Lehmann and others have repeatedly said, is playing to win, not playing to avoid defeat.

Here, the goalposts changed. And they changed throughout the morning. After talking it over with Lehmann and senior players on the fourth night, Smith arrived at the ground intending to bat on for 10 to 15 overs and set India a target. But Shaun Marsh and Ryan Harris struggled to get the scoreboard moving quickly enough for that to happen, and Smith revised his plans.

In the end, Australia faced 23 overs and declared at lunch. Smith said a number of factors went into his thinking, including India's reluctance to push for Australia's last three wickets on the final morning in a Test that they had to win to keep alive their hopes of retaining the trophy. On what would become his final day as Test captain - he retired after play - MS Dhoni set the fielders back and played a game of defence.

"We do say we always play to win but it was one of those circumstances," Smith said. "India had an opportunity to take the new ball this afternoon and they didn't do that. We thought, you know what, we will give you a few less overs to get these runs.

"I thought they might have come out a bit harder and gone after us at the start and we might have got a few wickets there and we have got through their tail pretty quickly recently but it didn't turn out that way. We still got a series win which was important to us.

"I changed my mind a couple of times. I wasn't quite sure when to pull out. But I didn't really want to give India a crack with the batters they had in the shed and how good that wicket was."

http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-india-2014-15/content/story/814989.html

 

[pakistani pride]

Flat wicket.
even on day 5 it was a good deck to bat on.

Ause lead 2 nil so whats the fuss?

 

[Sherlock]

I guess it's easier to criticise him when you don't see how close India got in the previous game and the run chase, and this wicket being dead as a pancake, so you blame Smith?



Everyone's a expert here.

 

[Swanny]

Smiffy has explained the reason for the timing of his declaration.

Dhoni had set the feilders back so they couldnt even take singles ?

In first 5 overs aus had scored just 4 runs. Those 2 were simply deadbatting half vollies & shouldering arms to short & wide stuff.

 

[OZGOD]

Flat wicket.
even on day 5 it was a good deck to bat on.

Ause lead 2 nil so whats the fuss?

People want India to get fournilled. It would've been nice but to be fair they don't deserve to get whitewashed, they've played better this year than a couple of years ago.

 

[Buffet]

Smiffy has explained the reason for the timing of his declaration.

Aus was in safe zone long before declaration came. His explanation would have made sense if we were talking about declaring within 10 overs.

 

[Enforcer]

I would say it is defensive captaincy. Would be 'harsh' to call it 'poor' since its smith debut series as captain. But defensive nonetheless. I think what clarke did in Adelaide was very very brave, Since there was not much conventional or reverse swing available for pacers. indian pacers too gone for plenty in australia's 2nd innings in Adelaide. That track was terrific for stroke making, even on 5th day and was only helpful for spinners. So the onus was solely on Lyon to deliver.

But here in MCG, there was prodigious reverse swing for pacers and the track was not that good for stroke playing on 5th day. Even australians found it difficult to play their stroke on 4th day. With Australia having three top class pacers along with watson who were quite capable of reversing the ball (as we all saw later saw in the match), now way India could have able to chase that.
I think Smith got it all wrong while judging the condition and squandered an opportunity.

 

[Firebreaker]

Why can't they name Johnson captain?

 

[Firebreaker]

I would say it is defensive captaincy. Would be 'harsh' to call it 'poor' since its smith debut series as captain. But defensive nonetheless. I think what clarke did in Adelaide was very very brave, Since there was not much conventional or reverse swing available for pacers. indian pacers too gone for plenty in australia's 2nd innings in Adelaide. That track was terrific for stroke making, even on 5th day and was only helpful for spinners. So the onus was solely on Lyon to deliver.

But here in MCG, there was prodigious reverse swing for pacers and the track was not that good for stroke playing on 5th day. Even australians found it difficult to play their stroke on 4th day. With Australia having three top class pacers along with watson who were quite capable of reversing the ball (as we all saw later saw in the match), now way India could have able to chase that.
I think Smith got it all wrong while judging the condition and squandered an opportunity.

Haddin captaincy won the game for Australia

 

[OMB]

Steve Smith: Australia batsman 'would be keen' to return to captaincy if selectors wanted him

Batsman Smith was removed as captain and banned from leadership roles for at least two years for his part in the ball-tampering scandal in 2018.

The 31-year-old served a year-long playing ban and resumed internationals in June 2019, under Tim Paine in Tests and Aaron Finch in T20 and ODIs.

"I've learnt so much about myself and grown as a human being," Smith said.

There was criticism of current Test captain Paine following Australia's home series defeat by India.

Smith was named Australia's player of the series when he returned for the 2019 Ashes, scoring 774 runs at an average of 110.57.

"I've certainly had a lot of time to think about it and I guess now I've got to a point where if the opportunity did come up again, I would be keen," Smith told News Corp.

"If it was what Cricket Australia wanted and it was what was best for the team at the time, it's certainly something I would be interested in."

Smith admitted he would "always have to live" with the Cape Town Test, where batsman Cameron Bancroft tried to use sandpaper on the ball to give Australia an advantage.

He gave an emotional news conference after being stripped of the captaincy and later said he had struggled to come to terms with the impact on his career.

Smith has since captained the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League.

"I haven't always felt like I wanted to captain again. That's only come in the last little bit," said Smith.

"I feel as though I'd be in a better place if the opportunity did come up. If it doesn't, that's fine as well."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/56561894.amp

 

[OMB]

"No Position Available": Justin Langer After Steve Smith Says Keen To Lead Australia Again

Hours after Steve Smith said he would be willing to lead Australia once again, coach Justin Langer has said that the side is in good hands with Tim Paine and Aaron Finch as the skipper and "there is no captaincy position available".

On Monday, Smith for the first time came out to talk about his keenness to lead Australia once again if given the chance. Smith was removed as the captain once he confirmed his involvement in the ball-tampering incident in the Cape Town Test against South Africa in March 2018.
"I've certainly had a lot of time to think about it and I guess now I've got to a point where if the opportunity did come up again, I would be keen," Smith had told News Corp.
"If it was what Cricket Australia wanted and it was what was best for the team at the time, it's certainly something I would be interested in now, that's for sure," he added.
Smith was banned from international cricket by Cricket Australia for one year along with opening batsman David Warner for their involvement in the Sandpaper Gate. Cameron Bancroft was also handed a nine-month suspension.
Smith will next be seen in the upcoming Indian Premier League, beginning April 9. The right-handed batsman will represent Delhi Capitals in the cash-rich league.

https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/no-position-available-justin-langer-after-steve-smith-says-keen-to-lead-australia-again-2402270?amp=1&akamai-rum=off&__twitter_impression=true

 

[MenInG]

Australia spinner Nathan Lyon has said that it is exciting to hear ace batsman Steve Smith talking about wanting to lead the country again. Earlier this week, Smith for the first time, openly talked about wanting to lead Australia again. The right-handed batsman was removed as the captain following his involvement in the Sandpaper Gate fiasco in the Cape Town Test against South Africa in March 2018. "It's exciting that Smithy has said he wants the job again. I think over the last couple of years he's learned a lot about himself ... but also about his captaincy as well. For him to come out and say that he wants it is exciting. He's obviously learnt a lot and feels like he can do a great job again. If he wants it, in my eyes he can have it," Lyon told The Unplayable Podcast, as reported by cricket.com.au.

"Tim (Paine) is the current captain and this is the way Tim wants to run the ship, and credit to Smithy, I think he's been very respectful in that way. There's been times where Smithy has been able to pass on his knowledge - (he) has a great cricket brain and can see the game different to most people," he added.

Ever since Australia lost the Test series against India, there have been calls to replace the skipper and Paine has coped with severe criticism.

"I think that's a great quality to have; when you've got people like Smithy in your changeroom, it can only help you. I love playing under Painey. He's up there with one of the best captains I've played under. With him being up there as the best keeper in the world in my eyes, I want him to keep playing, especially with such a big Ashes series just around the corner," said Lyon.

"This time off, especially for the guys who only play Test cricket, is going to allow us to get fit, get focused and make sure we're ready for when the summer comes around. Painey has all my support. He's not going anywhere in my eyes," he added.

However, hours after Smith spoke about being open to leading the national team if the opportunity does present itself in the future, coach Justin Langer had said the unit is in good hands with Paine (Test captain) and Aaron Finch (white-ball captain).

Listen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com
"We have two very good captains and two important competitions coming up -- an Ashes and a T20 World Cup. Our future looks good," Langer told the ABC, as reported by Fox Sports.

"Despite the media chatter there is no captaincy position available," he added.

https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/in-...s-steve-smith-for-australia-captaincy-2403718

 

[OMB]

Former Australia Captain Backs Steve Smith To Lead 'Baggy Greens' In Tests Again

Former Australia captain Mark Taylor is of the opinion that Steve Smith can be brought back to lead the team, although paceman Pat Cummins is the designated vice-captain of the team.

Tim Paine recently underwent an invasive neck surgeryT
aylor is of the opinion that Smith can be brought back to lead the teamPaine took over the reins of the team during a difficult period

The countdown has begun for the Ashes as the opening Test match, set to take place in Brisbane, is less than three months away now. Australia will look to retain 'the urn', which they have kept since thrashing England 4-0 in 2017-18. Steve Smith, who was the leader of the pack for the Aussies back then, returned from his international ban to play a stellar role in the next Ashes series in England, which ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw.

The upcoming series will be a chance for Joe Root and his England side to redeem themselves and improve their record down under. But the English camp has been marred with uncertainty as question marks remain over the availability of players as they are wary of the strict coronavirus protocols in Australia and the hardships of the bubble-life.

On the other hand, there are issues in the Australian camp too regarding the availability of Test skipper Tim Paine, who recent underwent an invasive neck surgery. Paine has said that the surgery went well. The 36-year-old wicket-keeper batsman is eyeing a six-week recovery period and has sounded confident to be back ahead of the Ashes.

But that has not stopped former Aussie cricketers from looking for alternatives. Paine has been under tremendous pressure since Australia's home series defeat against India at the beginning of the year and many feel the clock is ticking for him.

Former Australia captain Mark Taylor is of the opinion that Steve Smith can be brought back to lead the team, although paceman Pat Cummins is the designated vice-captain of the team.

"I wouldn't rule out Steve Smith to come back and captain Australia. I think enough time, enough water has gone under the bridge since 2018 and what happened in South Africa," Taylor told Wide World of Sports.

"Pat Cummins would certainly be in the pole position given he's the vice captain at the moment. I think Australia have options. I was absolutely surprised about the Tim Paine news," Taylor added.

Paine took over the reins of the team during a difficult period as Australia were coming out of the ball-tampering controversy, which led to Steve Smith and David Warner getting banned for a year. Paine has so far led the Aussies in 23 Tests, winning 11 and losing 8. He has lost back-to-back home series against India.

Smith has a better record as captain, having won 18 of the 34 matches in charge and losing only 10.

https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/ashes-former-australia-captain-backs-steve-smith-to-lead-baggy-greens-in-tests-again-2544026