'Steve Smith was the difference': Joe Root and Tim Paine reflect as Australia retain Ashes

Joseph Edward Root, better known as Joe Root, is an English international cricketer who is the current captain of the England Test team. He also represents Yorkshire domestically. He is currently ranked sixth in Test batting and has previously been ranked the best Test batsman. Root was part of the England squad that won the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

Timothy David Paine, better known as Tim Paine, is an Australian international cricketer who currently captains the Australian national team in Test cricket. He is a right-handed batsman and a wicket-keeper. Furthermore, he plays for the Tasmanian Tigers in Australian State cricket and was formerly captain of the Hobart Hurricanes. Paine became the youngest-ever contracted player in Australia, at the age of 16.

Steven Peter Devereux Smith, better known as Steve Smith, is an Australian international cricketer and former captain of the Australian national team. He is regarded as one of the best batsmen in the world and is currently the captain of Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League. In March 2018, Smith oversaw ball tampering in the third Test against South Africa. This led to him having to stand down from the team captaincy and being replaced by Tim Paine. He was also banned from all international and domestic cricket in Australia for one year and from any leadership role for two years.

In this video Tim Paine claims that Steve Smith is getting better, do you agree?

Source: Guardian Sport