New skipper Steve Smith discusses ideas with Darren Lehmann ahead of two-Test tour of Bangladesh
Australia's next Test squad taking shape
Bupa Support Team Head Coach Darren Lehmann says Australia is in no rush to lock down their Test squad for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh, but says new Test captain Steve Smith has already put forward suggestions ahead of his first assignment as full-time skipper.
Smith became the nation's 45th Test captain last summer when he filled in for the injured Michael Clarke and the end of the Ashes means Clarke's career is over and the baton has been officially passed.
Smith will ease into the full-time role with five one-dayers against England next month before focusing fully on the Tests in Chittagong and Dhaka.
Smith has voiced his desire to be an active part in the selection process and Lehmann confirmed the 26-year-old had already passed on some ideas for what will be just Australia's second ever Test tour of Bangladesh.
But the coach said he and selectors will take their time over a squad that is likely to include several new faces.
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"We'll let the dust settle, play the one-day series and then pick the side moving forward for Bangladesh and then the home summer," Lehmann said.
"In my time I can't remember the captain not getting the side he wants. Maybe once or twice," Lehmann said.
"The captain has a really important part to play and he's got to be really comfortable with the side he plays with.
"It's our job to pick that final XI but you always consult the captain, that's important."
The new skipper's most pressing concern will be working out a batting order that will need to fill the vacancies left by the retired Clarke and opener Chris Rogers.
The likes of Cameron Bancroft, Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja have been mentioned as possible inclusions, while the likes of paceman Gurinder Sandhu - who also bowled off-spin on the recent Australia A tour of India - allrounder Glenn Maxwell and left-arm spinner Ashton Agar could be considered in conditions that are expected to take turn.
Clarke elevated Smith to No.3 in the order for Australia's winter Tests against the West Indies and England, which yielded three big centuries and saw the NSW batsman become the first Australian to score over 500 runs in an away Ashes since Matthew Elliott in 1997.
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The right-hander scored 199 against the Windies in Jamaica before celebrating his maiden double-century at Lord's then 143 at The Oval and it remains to be seen if he will remain at first drop.
"I love that he's at the top of his game batting-wise. That helps you when you take over the captaincy," Clarke said.
"If you're comfortable with your own game it means you can now focus on the team.
"Smithy will do a fantastic job as captain."
Smith, speaking on The Oval dais after being named man of the match in the fifth Test, thanked Clarke for helping him prepare for the pressure-laden position.
"Michael's been outstanding. He's had a terrific career and been a great captain over the last few years," he said.
"I've certainly learned a lot off him."
Smith's first concern is the limited-overs action against England, but the 2019 World Cup and Ashes are among the most notable long-term goals.
"We judge ourselves most on Ashes series," he said.
"It's a huge series for us, but we've got a lot of cricket to play before then."