Appointing Steve Smith as Test vice-captain to Pat Cummins would be “awkward” according to Nine sports presenter Tony Jones.
Smith was stripped of the captaincy in 2018 after the ill-fated South African tour, which saw him suspended for 12 months and banned from holding a leadership position for a further year.
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Following Tim Paine’s resignation last Friday, Smith has emerged as the favourite for the vice-captaincy, with Cummins earmarked as the captain-in-waiting.
An announcement is expected as soon as today.
Cricket legend Shane Warne wrote in his News Corp column that appointing Smith as vice-captain would leave Cricket Australia open to “ridicule and criticism.”
“Everyone makes mistakes, we know that and we’ve all moved on from sandpaper-gate,” Warne wrote.
“But that happened under Steve Smith’s captaincy, he allowed that to happen on his watch. I think the punishment he was given was way too severe, which I said at the time. He paid a huge price for his mistake.
“But his second chance is getting to play for Australia again and in my opinion announcing him as vice-captain opens up CA for ridicule and criticism, and they should throw the code of conduct out the window.
“CA has to stand for something.”
Speaking on Nine’s Today, Jones said Smith has already paid the price for what happened in South Africa.
“It’s hard to disagree with anything Shane Warne says,” Jones said.
“How long does someone have to carry the can for something that was done so long ago?
“I think if we’re serious about getting back on track, I don’t think there would be too many Australians disappointed if Steve Smith was to take the mantle again.
“I would rather see him captain than vice-captain, I think that would just be a little awkward.
“If they’re going to have him in any leadership capacity, it should be the captaincy.”
Jones added that Cummins should still be the favourite for the captaincy, becoming the first fast-bowler to lead Australia in a Test since Ray Lindwall in 1956.
“I think it’s time for a change, I think it’s time for a real refresh and reset. I think Pat Cummins will do an outstanding job, he’s had a little bit of experience with NSW, I think he would be a very good look for Australia.”
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