The newly instilled Test vice-captain says he has “grown a great deal” in recent years, and believes he is in a good position to lead again
Smith insists he's a better leader now
Steve Smith knows people will question his vice-captaincy of Australia's Test team but insists he is a better leader than when he last held a position of power.
Some 1344 days after the Cape Town scandal of 2018, Smith was returned to a leadership position on Friday.
As vice-captain, the master batter looks set to be handed more responsibilities than the deputies that have come before him.
He will take charge when Cummins is out on his feet as a pace bowler, and be asked to set fields and be a responsible voice on the field when the captain has ball in hand.
Such is the spotlight put on Smith's return, the first question put to him on Friday centred around whether his appointment was forgiveness for sandpaper-gate.
"There will be some negativity from some people about it. I understand that and I get that," Smith said.
"But for me I know that I've grown a great deal over the last three or four years.
"I'm a more rounded individual and in turn I think it's turned me into a better leader.
"I've been in a position the last few years playing as a leader and now the opportunity obviously to be standing here next to Patrick as a formal leader or a titled leader, I'm truly honoured."
I feel incredibly honored, privileged and excited to be named the Australian Mens Test Captain.
— Pat Cummins (@patcummins30) November 26, 2021
I’ll be trying my best and can’t wait to get started at the Gabba in a couple of weeks!
Also very lucky to have my man @steve_smith49 alongside me as VC. #ashes pic.twitter.com/iVPurweQP7
In Smith, Australia's selectors can be confident the leadership won't burden his batting.
His initial ascension to the vice-captaincy in 2014 coincided with his rise to the world's best batsman, while his average of 70.36 as captain is bettered only by Don Bradman in the game's history.
Friday's decision also leaves Smith just one minor injury away from that top role again.
Cricket Australia confirmed in their appointment that Smith would be the man to take over if Cummins missed a match.
"From my point of view fingers crossed Patrick is available for every game," Smith said.
"If the case is that he isn't, I'll step in and do the best job that I can for the team in his absence and ensure we're still trying to push the team forward and keep growing as a team.
"Hopefully we can have some success along the way with that."