Having been suspended from playing for 12 months by Cricket Australia, Smith returned to international cricket this year with aplomb, amassing 774 runs in four Tests during the winter’s Ashes series. It was on the back of his Bradmanesque feats that Australia retained the urn in England for the first time in 18 years.

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But speaking in Adelaide at the launch of the home international season, Smith said he wasn’t spending any time thinking about the prospect of a return to the leadership.

“Not on my radar at all,” Smith said.

“Finchy and Painey are both doing terrific jobs so I’m enjoying playing and pretty chilled.”

Sunday’s first Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka marks Smith’s first international appearance on home soil since the ball-tampering affair. He was looking forward to a warm reception from the locals at Adelaide Oval.

“It should be good, I can’t wait to play,” Smith said.

“Any time you walk out and play for Australia it’s a great honour and to be back playing here in Australia, I’m excited.”

It’s been an even longer time between drinks for Smith when it comes to T20 internationals. The most recent of his 30 caps for Australia in the format came way back in March 2016, with Smith rested for subsequent T20 series before his ban.

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However with a T20 World Cup in Australia just a year away, Smith was anticipating he would play in the format regularly, starting with home series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan over the next few weeks.

“I’m sure with the World Cup in a year’s time there’s an opportunity to have that continuity. I think we’ve seen over the years that the T20 format is one where guys are rested a lot. That will probably change leading into the World Cup I dare say. I think it’s a great opportunity for 14 guys that have been picked here to have that continuity and try to perform together and work towards hopefully being part of a World Cup. It starts here this summer. We’ve got six games straight,” Smith said.

Smith’s T20 international record is modest, with the former skipper averaging 21.55 with the bat at a strike rate of 122.44. But he is confident about contributing going forward.

“I may not be as strong as some of the other guys who can hit the ball as far but I back myself in working the gaps and hitting boundaries and things like that. It is a game where you have to be ahead of the game and think on your feet. I usually do that reasonably well so hopefully I can do it.”