Former Australian skipper and current assistant coach Ricky Ponting feels any suggestion Steve Smith should not play a role in Australia’s planning during the Ashes is ‘an absolute load of rubbish’. The Australian legend added that he would have no problem with Smith captaining Australia again once his leadership ban expires next year.
Smith is banned from holding an official leadership position in Australian cricket until March 2020, as part of his sanction following the ball-tampering scandal, and his heavy on-field involvement on Saturday sparked debate on social media.
“I read a bit of that stuff this morning, with people online going on about the fact he shouldn’t be doing it because he’s not captain,” Ponting was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
“That’s an absolute load of rubbish. He’s not captain. He’s not tossing the coin and he’s not picking the team. But an experienced guy like him with a cricket brain that he’s got, Tim would be silly to not try and tap into that and not try to use him when he can,” he added.
“He’s served his time as far as his playing suspension goes and everyone knows he can’t captain again until next year. He’s part of a team that is relying on him heavily for his experience, so he can help in whichever way and wherever he possibly can. And I’m sure if Painey or anyone around the team wasn’t happy with it, then it wouldn’t be happening,” the former Australian skipper added.
