Waugh's warning to new skipper Smith

Test legend Steve Waugh has warned new Australian skipper Steve Smith that it is when the runs dry up that the pressures of life as Test captain will become the hardest to handle.

So far, Smith has flourished with the bat when given the added responsibility of the captaincy.

He became the youngest batsman to score a century on debut as captain – standing in for an injured Michael Clarke – during the Gabba Test last year, and repeated the feat in his first match as fill-in one-day international skipper against England in January, scoring an unbeaten 102 in Hobart.

Watch: Smith's first Test ton as skipper

He has scored a century in each of his three Tests to date as captain of the Australian Test team, but Waugh said the greatest challenge would come when the runs were not flowing as easily, offering Smith some sage advice from his 57 Tests as Australian captain.

"That will be his biggest challenge, when he has a loss of form and he's got all the pressure associated with being captain," Waugh said.

"That's when it really tests you.

"He's got to have a really good, trusted group of people around him that he really values and can listen to, and not take too much outside influence and outside advice.

"He's really got to trust himself."

Watch: Smith tons up on ODI captaincy debut 

Smith is preparing to lead the Australian Test XI as full-time skipper for the first time in next month's Commonwealth Bank Test series against New Zealand, and Waugh said Smith's previous experiencing standing in for Clarke would be invaluable against the clever cricketing brain of Black Caps leader Brendon McCullum.

"The expectation is always there and the pressure is always around you as a captain, but the good thing is he's had a taste of it," Waugh said.

"More importantly, he wants to do it. You've got to want to do the captaincy role, because it is all encompassing.

"The good thing about Steve Smith is his game is in good shape. It's very hard to be a captain if you're not playing well."

Waugh was 33 when named the successor to Mark Taylor at the end of the 1998-99 summer, already 111 Tests into his 168-match career.

By comparison, Smith is 26, with 33 Tests under his belt – but Waugh says age is just a number.

"Age is irrelevant," Waugh said. "In sport, it's your attitude and what you bring to the table.

"Do you really want to be there, do you want to make a difference and are you trying to improve yourself?

"If you tick all those boxes, then I'm not really concerned about what age you are."

Watch: Smith's stunning summer

There has been speculation about where Smith will choose to bat himself against the Black Caps, with Smith suggesting in August that he may return to the No.4 position, having been promoted to first drop by Clarke during the tour of the West Indies earlier this year.

"I've been thinking about it and it is also going to come down to the make-up of the team and what will fit best," Smith said.

"I haven't completely decided to stay at three or not, we will wait and see."

"I batted four at the back end of last summer when Michael was out and I was quite successful batting there."

Waugh, who batted in predominately at No.5 during his time as skipper, endorsed Queensland batsman Usman Khawaja to succeed long-term in the first-drop position.

"I think Usman is a guy who will do very well for Australia.

"He's had some experience before and he did pretty well.

"He's got a good technique and a good temperament. He's had time away from the Test side, so he knows what it's like to be dropped.

"I think when he comes back in he'll have a long-term career in the Australian side and score a lot of runs."

Watch: Waugh's famous last-ball SCG ton

Of the candidates to replace Chris Rogers, Waugh singled out young Western Australian batsman Cameron Bancroft to join David Warner at the top of the order.

"I think (Smith) could go back to four, with Khawaja at three, and Bancroft and Warner will open the batting.

"I think that's a pretty good mix.

"Hopefully the Marsh boys can cement their positions in the team. They've got a lot of talent, I think if they can have a good year then Australia will have a good year."