Smith as a Test skipper is a dream come true
STEVE Smith’s rapid rise to become the 45th Australian Test skipper completes a fairytale for the Sutherland Cricket Club batsman.Smith, 25, was named as the new Test captain by Cricket Australia yesterday in Brisbane. He is the first Sutherland junior to lead Australia at Test level.The Illawong Menai Cricket Club junior has played 23 Tests for Australia, and averages 46.02 at Test level, since making his debut against Pakistan at Lords in July 2010.He has been considered a future captain by Australian selectors for the past 12 months.Speaking in Brisbane on Monday in the lead-up to the second Test against India, Smith said he was proud to be given the honour.‘‘I am looking forward to the challenge,’’ he said.
SUTHERLAND District Cricket Club’s Steve Smith, 25, is the new Australian Test cricket captain.
Club historian Tom Iceton said Smith was the first Sutherland junior to lead Australia at Test level.
Shane Watson, who plays for Sutherland, had captained Australia in a Test match in India but he was a Queenslander and not a local junior.
Smith, who has captained NSW, described his Test appointment as an amazing thrill.
‘‘I’m ready,’’ he said.
‘‘I’ve had leadership experience in captaining older guys.
‘‘Brad Haddin will be right behind me.’’
Smith replaces Michael Clarke until he recovers from his back and hamstring injuries.
‘‘We congratulate Steve on this well-deserved appointment and wish him well as he embarks on what hopefully will be a long tenure as Australia’s 45th Test captain,’’ Iceton said.
Smith is the third youngest Australian Test captain in history — at 25 years and 197 days — behind the late Ian Craig (22 years and 194 days) and Kim Hughes (25 years and 57 days).
Smith was formally announced as Clarke’s replacement at a press conference yesterday in Brisbane as the side prepares for the second Test against India tomorrow.
He got the nod ahead of the man everyone thought would be Clarke’s replacement: vice-captain and skipper, Brad Haddin, 37.
It had been tipped initially that wicketkeeper Haddin, would step into the void left by the injured Clarke, with Smith expected to be announced as vice-captain as he continued to be groomed for the main role.
Gary Fattore, president of Illawong Menai Cricket Club, where Smith played junior cricket, said the club was very proud.
‘‘It means a great deal to us. Steve has always given his time back to the club when he can,’’ Fattore said.
National Selector Rod Marsh said: ‘‘There was a strong argument for Brad (Haddin) to assume the captaincy until Michael returns, but given we don’t know how long that will be, we felt the time was right to take a longer-term view and give a young player this chance.”
Marsh went on to praise Smith’s leadership qualities
‘‘He is an exceptional young man who is highly regarded not only for his fine performances with the bat but also his maturity.’’
Cricket Australia made it clear that when, and if, Clarke returns to the side he will be captain and Smith will be deputy-captain.
HAZLEWOOD WAITS
Josh Hazlewood’s anxious wait to make his debut for Australia in Test cricket is over.
The 23-year-old St George Cricket Club speedster was 12th man for the opening Test won by Australia over India in Adelaide.
The right-arm quick will now get his chance in the second Test which starts Wednesday at the Gabba in Brisbane.
New skipper Steve Smith has confirmed that Hazlewood will receive his first baggy green, while left-arm speedster Mitchell Starc has earned a recall after Peter Siddle and the injured Ryan Harris have been overlooked.
Smith has elevated himself up the batting order to No.4, replacing injured captain Michael Clarke.
Shaun Marsh will now bat at No.5 ahead of his brother Mitchell.
Smith is confident Harris will overcome a quad strain to be available for the third Test.
He also hopes that Siddle can regain form after being dropped for his underwhelming display in Adelaide.
Hazlewood was close to getting the nod for the opening match in Adelaide but the selectors stuck with veteran Peter Siddle because of his stoic service.
The test selectors also added Hazlewood’s fellow NSW paceman Mitchell Starc to the squad to cover for Ryan Harris, who toiled hard in the Adelaide heat and has a history of knee injuries.
With the Test schedule crammed this summer, the selectors are aware fast bowlers may carry niggling injuries and prefer not to risk them and rest them from games with a big program ahead.
St George Cricket Club president Kevin Greene said Hazlewood was deserving of his chance to play in Brisbane.
‘‘Everyone at St George is excited for Josh and his family on his selection,’’ said Greene.
‘‘Josh is an impressive young man and he has worked hard in cricket.’’
Hazlewood has taken 90 wickets averaging 26 in first class matches.
The towering bowler has proven his worth for Australian in limited overs matches and rated a big chance to make the World Cup 15-man squad.
The World Cup will be held in February in Australia and New Zealand.
Scotland will use Hurstville Oval, for training as part of their preparation for the World Cup.
‘‘Scotland play their first lot of matches in New Zealand and they will use Hurstville Oval as a training venue before the competition begins,’’ Greene said.
Are you happy with the choice of Smith as test captain?
