SENIOR Australian cricket figures have discussed the option of appointing Steven Smith as the country’s permanent captain beyond the World Cup, leaving Michael Clarke’s position in the balance.
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Clarke remains destined to lead Australia at next month’s one-day cricket championship – if he can meet a fitness deadline thrust on him – but Fairfax Media has learned that after months of tension with selectors and key management personnel, there is likely to be a reassessment about his long-term role before this year’s Ashes tour of England.
Senior sources in the Australian game say that an ideal scenario discussed is for the 33-year-old to stay in the team, with few disputing that as a world-class batsman he remains in Australia’s best XI when fit, but how continuing as a player only under the leadership of the younger Smith would sit with Clarke’s pride is yet to be seen.
Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland and CA Team Performance manager Pat Howard denied at the Allan Border Medal presentation on Tuesday that there had been discussions about Clarke being replaced.
Any decision on the captaincy would have to be confirmed by the Cricket Australia board, but would be based on the recommendation of the selection panel, headed by Rod Marsh.
Smith, meanwhile, went home with a trifecta of awards on Tuesday night, including the player-of-the-year gong (Allan Border Medal) after being crowned the country’s best one-day and Test player.
‘‘It’s been really good to take over temporarily and have a taste of it and I really enjoyed it. I don’t really like to think about it too much regarding the future but I just like to stay as level headed as I can and take each day as it comes,’’ Smith said of the Australian captaincy.
‘‘If that kind of thing happens in the future, then great, but if not, that’s OK, too.
‘‘I’m just happy with where everything is at the moment and hopefully I can continue playing well.
‘‘I think when Michael’s fit and ready to go again, he steps back into that role. I have no issue with that whatsoever. I have no issue with him taking the reins.”