David Warner open to T20I captaincy for Australia provided Steve Smith approves the decision

Veteran Australian opener David Warner has recently conceded that he does not mind leading the Australian side in the shortest format of the game. He admitted that he is open to the option of captaining the national side in T20Is if the selectors and skipper Steve Smith have no problems with the decision. In fact, Warner has left the decision to be taken by Smith and the selectors. In the ongoing Trans-Tasman series, David Warner has been firmly leading the side with aggressive intent.

Also, Warner has a lot of experience leading the side owing to his stints in the IPL. He had led the Sunrisers Hyderabad to an IPL title in the year 2016. At the very same time, the numbers of Steve Smith as a leader in the IPL are not weak either. However, he has been out of the T20I side of the Australian team for quite some time. On most occasions, he has been rested for the T20Is after grueling Tests and ODIs assignments.

“That’s obviously a question for Smithy and the selectors. It depends on how Smithy is going mentally with all three forms. He’s said that he’s happy doing all three forms and I respect that. I’m his deputy so I try and help him as much as I can so he’s in the (right) frame of mind. I try and do as much as I can and make sure I’m doing everything right with the boys to make his job a lot easier,” David Warner was quoted as saying by Cricket Australia.

‘Love to play every game’

Meanwhile, Australian skipper Steve Smith had recently remarked that he would love to play each and every game. Also, he had credited David Warner for leading the team exceptionally well in the shortest format in the recent times. Smith had last played a T20I for Australia back in March 2016. He hopes to make a comeback this year in the shortest format.

“In an ideal world, I’d love to play every game. I don’t really like resting. [But] on this occasion I think it was the best thing for me and other guys as well. It’s nice to know that if I do have a rest, Davey can step up and do a terrific job. I’m comfortable at the moment (captaining all formats). Obviously it’s been a while since I played a Twenty20 International – I think about two years – hopefully I’ll be available in the next year or so,” Steve Smith had recently quoted.

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