6 instances when Steven Smith's leadership came under scrutiny

#4 Ashes 2017

Steve Smith and James Anderson were at loggerheads during Ashes 2017

Smith may have had a prolific run in Ashes 2017 at home, leading Australia to a comprehensive 4-0 victory. But it wasn’t without controversy.

During the series, England pacer James Anderson claimed that the Aussies were bullies. In a press conference, Smith fired back by claiming that Anderson was one of the biggest sledgers in the game himself. It resulted in Smith and Anderson having a war of words a few meters apart from each other on the field, during the second Test at Adelaide. The tactic seemed to have worked as Smith scored only 40 and 6 in that match.