Smith excited by prospect of captaincy

Steve Smith has played down the prospect that he will captain Australia in the first Commonwealth Bank Test against India next month, but says he's excited by the thought of leading his country.

With skipper Michael Clarke and his deputy Brad Haddin racing the clock to be fit for the match at the Gabba, starting on December 4, Smith's name has been mentioned as a possible candidate to take over the captaincy.

While still only 25, Smith has captained NSW Blues on several occasions and he also led Sydney Sixers to the inaugural KFC T20 Big Bash League title in 2011-12.

Smith said he was hopeful that Clarke (hamstring) and Haddin (shoulder) would overcome their respective injuries in time for the series opener in Brisbane.

But he added he would be comfortable with the prospect of becoming Australia's 45th Test captain, should he be given the honour.

"I think it's exciting," Smith told Wide World of Sports.

"I've had a few experiences in captaining with NSW and the Sixers and I think I've done quite a good job of them as well.

"It's something that I do enjoy doing and if I do get the opportunity to do that one day then it'd be a dream come true.

"Hopefully Pup comes up and he'll be right for that first Test. And if not Brad Haddin's there and hopefully his shoulder comes good.

"I guess if those two aren't there then they've got to make a decision.

"And if they decide that I'm the person in charge to lead that first Test, then I'd be comfortable doing it and hopefully I'd be able to do a good job of it as well."

Smith's rapid ascension to a Test captaincy candidate comes on the back of a golden 18 months, which has seen him solidify his position in Australia's middle order.

Since returning to the Test side in India last year, Smith has averaged 44.00 and hit four centuries, and also posted innings of 92 and 97.

And he scored his maiden one-day-international century against Pakistan last month, a match-winning innings of 101 in Sharjah.

The second coming of Smith is a far cry from the leg spinning allrounder who had little success when he was thrown into Test cricket in 2010 at the age of 21.

"I probably feel like I'm hitting the ball as well as I ever have," Smith said.

"I think back when I started I was trying to ... pre-empt too many things and trying to take the bowler down a little bit too much.

"I think my mindset's changed a lot.

"I'm taking my time to get myself into my innings and I think just playing smarter.

"I think that's helped me out a lot and allowed me to get into my innings and allowed me to play my expansive shots as I keep going and I think that's been the big key for me."