How Arthur's 'final act' helped Australia

His reign as Australia's head coach may have ended in ignominy more than three years ago now but Mickey Arthur has claimed it was his parting masterstroke that resulted in one of the more significant shifts in the country's cricket landscape thereafter.

Arthur was axed from the position on the eve of the 2013 Ashes – a series in which Australia was humbled 3-0 but which also heralded the arrival of current captain Steve Smith.

Smith had played seven Tests at that point and even posted a best of 92 in India in the series prior, but the jury remained very much out on the leg-spinner cum middle-order batsman.

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So much so that he was initially dropped from the Test side after the 4-0 thumping in India, only making his way into the Ashes squad after scoring a hundred for Australia A against Ireland in Belfast just weeks out from the first Test.

Smith made 53 and 89 in the first and third Test respectively but it was in the fifth Test at The Oval that the New South Welshman broke through, bringing up his maiden hundred with a six not only show that he belonged but to showcase the dashing style with which he has dominated international cricket since.

Image Id: E0638C7A18A9436698E1472B9A793DA4 Image Caption: Steve Smith celebrates his maiden Test century at The Oval in 2013 // Getty

Another 14 hundreds have flowed from his bat in the 36 Tests that have followed, while Smith has also assumed what's generally considered the highest position in Australian sport – that of the national cricket team's Test captain.

It's an ascension that, at the time of Arthur's departure, was just about unthinkable.

And while Arthur, in Brisbane as Pakistan coach ahead of Thursday's first Commonwealth Bank Test at the Gabba, doesn't quite lay claim to Smith's scarcely believable rise, he does take some credit for the initial steps in the journey; it was his call to bring Smith into that 2013 Ashes touring party.

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"I've always had the highest regard for Steve," he said. "That was my final act I think, getting Steve and Ashton Agar into the squad.

"I didn't think he would rise as quick as he has.

"He's been phenomenal, he really has, and his leadership has been outstanding.

"He's taken the job by the scruff of the neck and been very good.

"I'm not surprised (by what he’s done) but his rise has been very, very quick."

Arthur's tumultuous tenure with Australia between November 2011 and June 2013 also encompassed the infamous 'Homeworkgate' scandal, in which Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Johnson, Shane Watson and James Pattinson were suspended for failing to complete a written task requested by the coach.

Khawaja has since expressed his frustrations with the manner in which the players' failure to comply with the task was handled by the South African, effectively suggesting the punishment didn't fit the crime.

The left-hander, who was dropped two Tests into Arthur’s time in charge and didn't return until the appointment of Darren Lehmann, has since established himself as one of Australia's best Test batsmen, racking up five hundreds – including four in six innings at one point last summer – over the past 13 months.

Despite the axing occurring at around the same time, Arthur said in December 2011 that Khawaja had "the potential to develop into something really good", adding today that he had been impressed with the 29-year-old's recent form, particularly his match-winning 145 in Adelaide against South Africa last month.

"Usman has been fantastic, I think his batting has gone to another level," he said.

"We always knew it would.

"I watched that innings in Adelaide and I thought he was really good. I think that's probably the best I've seen him play, and then he followed that up with a hundred at the WACA against WA.

"So he's in fine touch and I'm really happy to see him going well.

"I think he's starting to fulfil his undoubted talent now."

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