Disgraced Aussie batsman Steve Smith has put his hand up to captain his country again, if the national selectors come calling.
The former Australian skipper was dumped from the role, after he, vice-captain David Warner and teammate Cameron Bancroft were implicated in a ball-tampering scandal in South African three years ago.
All three were suspended from international play, after Bancroft was caught using sandpaper to doctor the ball during a test match in Cape Town, although Smith and Warner have since returned to the team.
In the meantime, Tim Paine and Aaron Finch have assumed captaincy of the national test and limited-overs sides - with mixed success. The test side collapsed to lose a home series against India this summer, while the Blackcaps trounced their T20 squad on this side of the Tasman.
But Smith has told New Corp he would jump at the chance to lead again.
"I've certainly had a lot of time to think about it and I guess now I've got to a point where, if the opportunity did come up again, I would be keen." he says.
"If it was what Cricket Australia wanted and it was what was best for the team at the time, it's certainly something I would be interested in."
Regardless of his past crimes, Smith is regarded as one of the world's premier batsmen, along with Kiwi Kane Williamson, India's Virat Kohli and England's Joe Root - all captains of their respective national teams.
Since serving his suspension, Smith has captained Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League.
"I haven't always felt like I wanted to captain again," he tells News Corp. "That's only come in the last little bit.
"I feel as though I'd in a better place, if the opportunity did come up. If it doesn't, that's fine as well.
"I've learnt so much about myself and grown as a human being."
Join us at 7pm Tuesday for live updates of the second Blackcaps v Bangladesh T20 clash
