Ashes 2015: Steve Smith claims to be shocked at Michael Clarke retirement

With 26 years and 32 Tests behind him, he's four years younger than his predecessor was at graduation

Michael Clarke looks on at Trent Bridge on the third day (GETTY IMAGES)

So it’s ordained: the clean-cut to replace the complicated. Two years since Steve Smith’s maiden Test century served as the catalyst for a magic run of form that so nearly stretched to the present day, he will return to The Oval for a last stint as Michael Clarke’s deputy. Then he’ll inherit the job commonly described as more important than that of Australian Prime Minister: skippering the national cricket team.

With 26 years and 32 Tests behind him, he’s four years younger than his predecessor was at graduation, with well under half the caps. At a time when Australian cricket has suffered a beating so graphic and unexpected, the timing isn’t enviable.

“I was very surprised that it happened, I didn’t see it coming,” said Smith of Clarke’s retirement announcement following the Trent Bridge capitulation. “Nothing is confirmed yet either with anything, in regards to the captaincy. But if it works out that way and I am the next captain, then it’s a lot of responsibility.”

He’s right on both fronts. As was later revealed, Clarke’s appointment was no foregone conclusion despite him having served as deputy for three years. However, the anyone-but-Clarke argument that existed at board level then won’t be repeated for Smith now. He’s not only the best candidate; he’s the only candidate.

Smith’s first assignment will be in mid-October to tackle Bangladesh, strong improvers in home conditions. If England have proved troublesome for the visitors – not least Smith, suffering real scrutiny for the first time since his last visit – that’s nothing compared to how they’ve fared in the subcontinent under Clarke.

“I think Bangladesh is going to be quite a tough tour, it’s another place that is quite foreign to us as Australian batters,” Smith acknowledged, refreshingly. “We’re going to have to find ways to adapt to those conditions, like we haven’t done well here.”

Australia captain Michael Clarke, left, and Steve Smith (Reuters)

While evoking the familiar formulation that team selection is a matter for selectors, he knows his remodelled squad is bound to be lacking in experience. “It’s always tough when you lose those guys,” Smith said, reflecting the fact that senior players Brad Haddin, Chris Rogers and Shane Watson are likely to join Clarke as missing from that team.

Smith is also on the front foot in acknowledging criticism of his own captaincy following conservative declarations in two of the three Tests he oversaw last Australian summer as Clarke’s stand-in. In defending his credentials, he is quick to borrow another Clarke staple that he will “lead from the front” – ultimately the bar his forerunner could no longer clear. History is on Smith’s side, as he has clocked centuries in each of his three Tests as captain so far.

As for Clarke, his praise of Smith in his farewell press conference was telling in its tone. He said the right things – to an extent. He said that he had faith that Smith would make a “good” captain, but that “only time will tell” how he’ll fare. Not unreasonable, but not effusive. Clarke has always chosen his words carefully.

Smith the batsman has already spent a lot of time proving his ability. Now he will have to do it again as leader.