Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has adviced Steve Smith over his tendency to get too helpful with his guidance. As per Clarke, if not selected as Test captain, Smith needs to be careful with the kind of leadership role he will play as a senior in the team now. However, his comments came as Tim Paine has resigned from the post.

Pat Cummins and Smith are two of the frontrunners in the race to take over the position as well. While speaking on The Big Sports Breakfast, Clarke added that Cummins will definitely turn to Smith for advice in between.

Clarke said: “He’s got to be careful Smithy, because he copped some criticism for doing that when Tim Paine took over the captaincy as well. That he was standing in slip waving his hands, moving the field. If he is vice-captain or even if he is not, he has got to be very careful. There can only be one captain on the field. That is what leadership is about as well, owning that. If it is Pat Cummins, he can take advice and guidance but then it’s up to him to be making the decisions.”

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Michael Clarke also recalled an incident during the Test series against India earlier this year, when Smith was accused and his moves get analyzed closely following his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal as well.

Clarke elaborated: “I don’t think Steve Smith understands how extreme it is going to be. He got a tiny glimpse of it last summer against India when he scruffed the pitch and was called the biggest cheat on the planet. I don’t think he understands how heavy it is going to be on him.”

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“Since he’s come back, he’s helped this team win so many games of cricket. He has played a leadership role in the team and is doing a brilliant job. I think he can help the team more by supporting if it is Pat Cummins, scoring a truckload of runs and helping Australia win games,” Michael Clarke concluded.