If/when Smith loses the captaincy, it does set up a hell of a redemption story in the long run.
Fast forward to 2028. Smith, nearing 40, has been facing rumours about retirement. He's the elder statesman of the batting unit. He can't take part in leadership roles, but can still score truckloads of runs. He's closing in on 20k Test runs.
Australia are on tour. Their captain Alex Carey has just emotionally quit after an embarrassing defeat in the 1st Test of an overseas tour, after a string of bad losses and mounting pressure. He was the 7th captain to be tried after infamous 2018 series in South Africa. Some ask for their most successful captain, Adam Zampa, to be reinstated, given his undefeated record in his solitary two Tests ever played (both as captain), two rain affected draws vs Sri Lanka.
However, public opinion has finally shifted. Smith is talked about as taking up the role after years staying out of the limelight. He's a born again Christian, a tutor of underprivileged kids at the Cameron Burge School of Kids Who Can't Cricket Good and Want To Do Good At Other Sports, Redfern. He's teetotal and writes a weekly column about gardening and DIY. In Australia's hour of need, in a foreign land, he's the man they need, though not the one they deserve.
He reluctantly takes up the captaincy, much to the disappointment of spinner-turned-opener, Ashton Turner, the other elder statesman in the side.
With 100 runs to reach 20,000 runs, Smith gets a disappointing duck in his first dig as Australia end up 100 runs behind. After an inspirational talk from Shane Warne's digital avatar, Smith bowls himself and picks up 8fer, then plays an inspirational rearguard with Australia's number 11, Brad Hogg Jnr in just his 3rd game (and Australia's first spinner to play more than 2 Tests since Lyon's retirement). As Smith hits the winnings runs, and coincidentally, brings up his 100 and 20k runs, tears run down his cheeks as he waves his 25kg Burger McKentucky Fried King bat to the crowd, as the disgrace and shame of the South Africa series is forgiven by the Australian public at large.Tears roll down Davey Warner's cheeks, too, as he watches at home on his 300" B-LED TV (made from the eyes of bees for highest resolution possible). Warner looks over at a faded photo of Darren Lehmann stuck to his wall with yellow tape and mutters "we did it, Boof, we did it. Rest in peace."
Australia celebrate their first away win in 5 years, drawing the series, and their first ever win over Afghanistan, which brings them to #17 in the ICC Test Rankings.
