Tim Paine's retirement hint likely to mark Steve Smith's return as Australia captain soon

Australia's red-ball captain Tim Paine on Monday spoke about his future as  captain and wicketkeeper of national Test team. His revelations t only spoke about his own career but also dropped a hint on what may be in store for Australian cricket. Australia will be taking on Pakistan at Gabba in first Test to begin ir home season on Thursday, vember 21.

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"May be last time I lead side at home"

Paine, who is 34 at moment, has had a tough rise to national team because of injuries and tough competition. After captain Steve Smith got banned in 2018, Paine was made new skipper of Aussies and it can be safely said that he had led team with aplomb out of a crisis situation. But with his in question, cricketers tend to loose ir magical touch and Paine spoke about this to a few reporters. He hinted that 2019-20 home summer may be last time that he is leading side at home as he is t too sure about what future holds for him.

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Paine added how he is enjoying his current role and hopes to sustain it as long as he scores eugh runs and keeps well. In interview, Paine also added that goal of Australian team was to regain ir ranking as number one Test side in world and win ICC World Test Championship.

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Who will lead Aussies?

Paine's revelation could well mean that a major contender for Australia's Test captaincy is ir former captain Steve Smith. After Smith's ban in 2018, it was highly speculated wher or t Smith would ever captain Aussies again. He made a tremendous return to Tests when he scored 774 runs in 2019 Ashes and helped Australia retain urn. Former Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting recently backed Smith getting ar shot at captaincy after Paine's departure. Paine has also gone ahead and shown support for Steve Smith's return to helm as well. Before his ban in 2018, Smith had led Aussies since 2015 and had dominated Test batting rankings. Under his captaincy, Aussies have won 18 out of ir 34 matches.

Ar contender is vice-captain Pat Cummins, who was appointed as vice-captain in beginning of this year. Cummins is an integral part of Australian team and is one of team's most effective bowlers. He has been leading wicket-taker of last two Ashes series and could be a suitable captain for Aussies as well.

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