Steve Smith could return as Australia captain by 2020

THE door is open for Steve Smith to return as captain from 2020 onwards, but Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive James Sutherland says the banned batsman has a “very steep hill to climb”. Smith will spend the next 12 months on the sidelines, having also been forced to step down as skipper for his role in the ball-tampering scandal. CA has barred Smith from holding a leadership position for a further 12 months — with Tim Paine to lead the side in his absence — starting with the fourth Test against South Africa that begins on Friday. Smith is en route to Sydney, where he will face the music at a press conference late on Thursday. The world’s top-ranked Test batsman was hounded by TV cameras and photographers at Johannesburg airport, requiring the sort of police protection more commonly afforded to high-profile criminals. The 28-year-old remains shattered but is desperate to rebuild his image, return Australia to the top of world cricket, and reclaim the captaincy. “He’s got a very steep hill to climb to rebuild the confidence and faith of the Australian public,” Sutherland said, when asked if Smith could potentially lead the side again.