6 instances when Steven Smith's leadership came under scrutiny

If there is one name that is making the headlines in the world of cricket at present, it is that of Steve Smith. This time though, it is for all the wrong reasons. Not very long ago, Smith was considered the next Sir Don Bradman for all the jaw-dropping numbers he had racked up in Test cricket. His stocks were rising as opponents found it hard to get the better of him.

But all that changed over the course of one day in South Africa. In the third Test at Newlands, he inexplicably approved a ball-tampering plan masterminded by vice-captain David Warner.

After getting caught in the act, Smith was branded a villain and a cheat and suddenly finds himself back home, banned for a year by Cricket Australia. However, this isn't the first time Smith’s leadership credentials have come under scrutiny. There were 6 other controversies involving the right-handed batsman when he was in charge of Australia. Take a look:

#1 – Lord’s vs England, 2015

Steve Smith has a go at England captain Eoin Morgan following Ben Stokes' controversial dismissal

This incident happened around the time Smith began captaining Australia on a full-time basis, following Michael Clarke's retirement after the Ashes series in England. It was the second ODI against England at Lord’s.

England were setting themselves up well to chase 310, when all-rounder Ben Stokes was dismissed off Mitchell Starc’s bowling for obstructing the field. It proved to be a hugely controversial decision, a moment that was crucial in helping the Aussies go 2-0 up in the series.

Smith and his English counterpart Eoin Morgan were at loggerheads over the decision. While Morgan blamed Smith indirectly for not being sporting enough to withdraw the appeal, the Australian captain supported his wicket-keeper Matthew Wade’s judgement.

Interestingly, even New Zealand’s then-skipper Brendon McCullum weighed in on the issue by backing Morgan’s claims and believing Smith would go on to regret this decision of not playing in accordance with the spirit of the game. The incident took a few days to die down.

#2 Christchurch Test match vs New Zealand, 2016

Steve Smith during the 2nd Test between New Zealand and Australia in Christchurch in 2016

Steve Smith was charged with dissent and fined 30 percent of his match fee for breaching the ICC’s code of conduct during a Test match against New Zealand in early 2016. Smith used extremely harsh words and argued with umpires for an lbw decision that went against his side. The wicket would have been that of the Kiwi star batsman, Kane Williamson.

Although pacer Josh Hazlewood was heard abusing on the stump mic, it was Smith who had to apologize at the end of the Test match despite the Aussies going on to win the game and the series 2-0.

#3 Brain fade vs India, 2017

Steve Smith's 'brain fade' moment didn't impress Virat Kohli or the umpires

Steve Smith has had his fair share of ‘brain fades’ while being Australia’s captain, be it while fielding or batting. The most famous one was in Bengaluru in a Test match against India in 2017. Batting on 28, Smith was adjudged lbw off Umesh Yadav’s bowling. However, he was in two minds whether to review the decision or not, and shockingly sought help from the dressing room.

This did not go down well with Indian skipper Virat Kohli or the umpires. Kohli just about stopped short of calling the Aussies, and more so Smith, a cheat. Smith called it a ‘brain fade’ while also dragging his junior teammate, Peter Handscomb, into the controversy.

#4 Ashes 2017

Steve Smith and James Anderson were at loggerheads during Ashes 2017

Smith may have had a prolific run in Ashes 2017 at home, leading Australia to a comprehensive 4-0 victory. But it wasn’t without controversy.

During the series, England pacer James Anderson claimed that the Aussies were bullies. In a press conference, Smith fired back by claiming that Anderson was one of the biggest sledgers in the game himself. It resulted in Smith and Anderson having a war of words a few meters apart from each other on the field, during the second Test at Adelaide. The tactic seemed to have worked as Smith scored only 40 and 6 in that match.

#5 Smith vs Maxwell, 2018

Steve Smith publicly criticized Glenn Maxwell after the latter's axing from the ODI team earlier this year

It was widely reported that not all was well between Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell, when the latter found himself dropped from the ODI side for the series against England which followed the Ashes. Australia lost the series 1-4 and Smith was criticized heavily for Maxwell's non-selection.

Smith’s candid words in a press conference about his desire to see Maxwell ‘train smarter’ to get back his place in the team was criticized by many former Australian players and captains such as Steve Waugh. When Maxwell returned for the T20I tri-series that followed and scored an unbeaten 100 in one of the games against England, Smith tweeted in appreciation of his knock. That seemed to irk the public, most of whom had seen him plunder runs in the Ashes but not in the ODIs.

#6 Smith vs Starc, 2018

Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc differed publicly on ways to get AB de Villiers out in South Africa

Everything went downhill for Steve Smith in South Africa in 2018. From being out of form and defending his team’s behaviour to questioning the ICC’s decision to not punish Kagiso Rabada and then ultimate ball-tampering incident, it was a series to forget for the Aussie skipper.

In between all this, Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc revealed in a press conference that he and Smith were conflicted about how to get the in-form AB de Villiers out cheaply. Apparently, Smith had instructed his premier bowler to bowl wide down the leg side in order to frustrate de Villiers by not letting him score freely and keeping him off the strike in the next over.

While negative tactics are not new in cricket, Smith’s leadership ability could be questioned since Starc was capable enough to make decisions on his own. Besides, it is yet another instance of an Australian conflict being brought out to the public rather than staying among the players in the dressing room.