In a move that’s sure to spark excitement and debate among cricket fans, Steve Smith is stepping back into the captaincy role for New South Wales (NSW) in a high-stakes Sheffield Shield clash, marking his first stint as state captain in eight years. This isn’t just any match—it’s a star-studded showdown against Victoria at the SCG, serving as a crucial tune-up for Australia’s Ashes lynchpins. But here’s where it gets controversial: Smith, who will lead Australia in the first Ashes Test against England in Pat Cummins’ absence, is temporarily replacing NSW’s regular captain, Jack Edwards. Is this a strategic masterstroke or a missed opportunity for Edwards’ leadership development?
Smith, a 119-Test veteran, recently returned to action after a two-month hiatus, scoring a commanding 118 against Queensland under Edwards’ leadership. Now, he’ll be pulling the strings of an attack featuring three of the four bowlers expected to spearhead Australia’s Ashes campaign later this month: Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon. Sean Abbott, a Test squad backup, completes the formidable NSW bowling lineup. Victoria, meanwhile, will field Scott Boland, who’s likely to step into Cummins’ shoes for the first Test.
And this is the part most people miss: While Edwards is seen as a future leader in Australian cricket—having led NSW full-time last season and Australia A in India—he’s reportedly happy to step aside for this one-off match. This allows Smith, one of cricket’s most astute problem solvers, to fine-tune his tactical skills in a rare domestic outing. It’s also a golden opportunity for Edwards to learn from Smith’s leadership style.
Smith’s captaincy record is nothing short of impressive. Australia hasn’t lost a single match under his leadership in the six times he’s filled in for Cummins over the past four years. His batting average as captain (68.98) dwarfs his average when he’s not leading (49.90). In the Sheffield Shield, he’s equally dominant, averaging 70.36 in eight games as NSW captain, including four centuries.
“It’s interesting how the brain works,” Smith reflected. “I feel like I kind of go to another level and try to set a standard, I suppose.”
For NSW, this match is about more than just Smith’s return. Josh Philippe, fresh from T20I duties, bolsters the lineup, while Sam Konstas gets his first chance to prove selectors wrong after his Test axing. Victoria, sitting atop the Sheffield Shield table, will be a tough opponent, but the Blues are eager to climb from their third-place position.
Here’s the burning question: With Cummins eyeing a return for the second Ashes Test, will Smith’s captaincy stint be short-lived, or could this spark a broader conversation about leadership dynamics in Australian cricket? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you think Smith’s return is a stroke of genius, or should Edwards have retained the captaincy for this crucial match?
Sheffield Shield Round Four Fixtures:
- NSW v Victoria: November 10-13, Sydney Cricket Ground, 10:30am AEDT
- Tasmania v South Australia: November 10-13, Bellerive Oval, Hobart, 10:30am AEDT
- Western Australia v Queensland: November 11-14, WACA Ground, Perth, 1:30pm AEDT
Sheffield Shield 2025-26 Standings:
| Team | Matches Played (M) | Wins (W) | Losses (L) | Drawn (D) | No Results (N/R) | Deductions (Ded.) | Batting Bonus (Bat) | Bowling Bonus (Bowl) | Total Points (PTS) |
|------|--------------------|----------|------------|------------|---------------|-------------------|---------------------|-----------------------|--------------------|
| Victoria Men (VIC) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.39 | 2.6 | 22.99 |
| Queensland Bulls (QLD) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4.9 | 2.3 | 15.2 |
| NSW Men (NSW) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.55 | 2.8 | 11.35 |
| Tasmanian Tigers Men (TAS) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1.63 | 2.2 | 8.83 |
| South Australia Men (SA) | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.3 | 2.6 | 4.9 |
| Western Australia Men (WA) | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.66 | 3 | 4.66 |
Squads:
- NSW: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Ollie Davies, Jack Edwards, Ryan Hadley, Josh Hazlewood, Sam Konstas, Nathan Lyon, Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, Will Salzmann, Mitchell Starc
- Victoria: Will Sutherland (c), Scott Boland, Harry Dixon, Sam Elliott, Peter Handscomb, Sam Harper, Marcus Harris, Campbell Kellaway, Blake Macdonald, Todd Murphy, Fergus O'Neill, Oliver Peake
