'Late-blooming' Smith emerging as 'potential' future Test captain for Oz

The 'late-blooming' Australian player Steve Smith has reportedly emerged as a potential future Test captain as injured captain Michael Clarke increasingly becoming a dodgy proposition with his troublesome back.

Even though veteran Brad Haddin or all rounder Shane Watson would be stop-gap Test captains, neither is a long-term option with Haddin in the twilight years of his career while Watson being the same age as Clarke.

However, News.com.au reports that the push for Smith, who captained New South Wales in the Ryobi Cup tournament, is gathering steam and he has powerful forces in his corner including former Test captain Ricky Ponting who believes he has the mettle to be an Australian captain

The report mentioned that although Smith has only played 12 Tests, he was one of the few Australian players to emerge from the winter's Ashes with his reputation enhanced and his 138 in the final summer Ashes Test at the Oval is being considered as a turning point not only for him but also for the entire Australian team.

The report also said that there are a very few likely future Test leaders apart from Smith, who has made giant strides and now boasts a first-class batting average of 43.