Sydney, Jan 3 (NationPress) Australian stand-in captain Steve Smith is open to passing the captaincy to a younger player in the absence of Pat Cummins, should the selectors decide to make that change. With Usman Khawaja officially retiring after the Sydney Test, and Nathan Lyon sidelined due to injury, Smith will now be the eldest member of the Australian XI, sharing the field with Scott Boland.

When questioned about his potential involvement in the 2027 Ashes series in England, Smith expressed uncertainty but conveyed that he is currently enjoying his cricket and focused solely on the present series.

"I've maintained this perspective for some time, taking it day-by-day, series-by-series, and we will see where things lead," stated Smith. "I feel like I'm performing well, enjoying the game, and contributing positively. There’s no specific end date for me."

He added, "With Usman stepping away, being one of our seasoned players, it might not be ideal if both he and I exited this week. Therefore, I wish to continue playing."

While Smith has captained for four of Cummins' Ashes Tests, he is comfortable stepping down to allow a younger leader to take the reins following Khawaja's retirement, if that’s the selectors' choice. Smith noted that the game has become more exciting due to the positive outcomes for the Australian team.

After a successful run, the team is gearing up for another shot at the World Test Championship (WTC) after gaining momentum through recent victories, despite falling points recently. The defeat in Melbourne has motivated the team to aim for a win in Sydney before facing their toughest challenges against South Africa and India.

"I believe we possess a truly strong team," Smith remarked during the press conference. "Over the past three or four years, we’ve reached two World Test Championship finals. Various players have risen to the occasion at different times; it’s never been solely about one or two individuals. The contributions have been widespread, making us a formidable team."

Smith expressed his desire to mentor younger players as an experienced participant in the sport, saying, "It’s been a privilege to be part of this squad, and now I hope to aid those coming up in understanding the nuances of Test cricket."

Following dominant victories in Perth and Brisbane, Australia has taken a 3-1 lead over England in a five-Test Ashes series. After claiming the third Test in Adelaide by 82 runs to level the series, England secured a remarkable victory in Melbourne, marking their first win on Australian soil in 15 years. The Melbourne Test concluded in under two days with a victory by four wickets.

Even though Australia has already secured the Ashes, there remains significant motivation for both teams, especially with World Test Championship points on the line.

"Every game counts in the World Test Championship," he affirmed. "We aim to turn things around, win this series 4-1, and more crucially, secure a Test victory in the WTC cycle."

Smith reminisced about Usman Khawaja from their early days in U-17 and U-19 cricket in South Wales, expressing admiration for Khawaja's batting prowess. Khawaja announced his retirement during a press conference, flanked by family, just two days before the match, as Australia seeks to secure another 12 WTC points and conclude the series as 4-1 victors.

"I recall competing against him in a couple of Under-17 versus Under-19 matches for New South Wales and was impressed by his batting style. The way he handled the ball was incredible; he picked up length faster than anyone I’d ever seen. Throughout his career, he’s performed his best when executing those skills. His consistent progression has been remarkable," Smith quoted from ESPNCricinfo.

Usman Khawaja often refers to himself as one of Australia’s most frequently dropped cricketers, having faced exclusion from the Test team seven times prior to 2019. However, Smith views those omissions during his captaincy as learning experiences for Khawaja rather than setbacks.

These challenges compelled Khawaja to confront his weaknesses against spin bowling, ultimately refining his game for the better. Before his stellar series against Pakistan in Dubai in 2018, Khawaja averaged a dismal 14.62 across five Tests in Asia. However, post that series, he evolved into one of cricket's finest players against spin, amassing 1490 runs in 13 Tests at an astonishing average of 82.77.

"He’s arguably one of our best players against spin now. Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise. His journey over the last 15 years is commendable, and few players get to leave on their own terms," stated Steve Smith regarding Usman Khawaja.

"It’s tough for him, but we did drop him," Smith said. "At that time, I was captain, and we felt he wasn’t performing well against spinners. However, that period gave him the opportunity to go back and adapt his playing style. Whether he would have made those adjustments had he continued playing is uncertain. But he returned with new strategies to face spin, including reversing and sweeping, which are forms of defense when the field is set accordingly.

"Now, he’s arguably one of our best players against spin. So, maybe it was a hidden blessing. His ability to thrive over a 15-year career is a testament to him, and not many get to exit on their own terms."