Tactically Steve Smith is as good as you get, feels Paine

Tim Paine has led Australia with guts and astute brilliance ever since he was bestowed with the responsibility back in March 2018 following the Sandpapergate incident. Despite the low of losing to India in two consecutive Border-Gavaskar Trophies at home, his position has never really come under fire. 

Now that Steve Smith's ban has ended and he is eligible for captaincy, Paine, who had already spoken about his exit plan from Australian cricket, endorsed the former for the captaincy role. The Tasmanian called Smith an astute leader tactically who can lead the side to success.

"I think so. Obviously I don't make that decision but the time I played with Steve as captain he was excellent," Paine said in comments published by News Corp media on Thursday.

"Certainly tactically he is as good as you get. Then obviously South Africa events happened and he's not doing it anymore. But, yeah, I would support him getting that job again."

On being asked about his retirement plans, Paine didn't give any concrete answer but added that if Australia can beat England 5-0 in the following Ashes, then he probably would bow out that moment.

"If I feel like the time is right and we've beaten the 'Poms' 5-0, what a way to go out," he said.

"But it might be a tight series and we might be chasing 300 on the last day and I'm 100 not out and hit the winning runs - and then I might go again."