Steve Waugh says the debate surrounding the future of Test captain Tim Paine shows a complete lack of respect for his achievements during the lowest period of the Australian game.

With former skipper Steve Smith's leadership ban ending in March and Payne now 35, the summer has started with discussions about whether the superstar batsman should be immediately returned to the post and Paine displaced.

Back to the future?: Former Australian captain Steve Smith with his successor, Tim Paine. Credit:Getty Images

That suggestion has been backed by a number of voices in the sport, including Steve's brother Mark, a former national selector who believes Smith should be elevated back to the position he occupied prior to the sandpaper scandal in South Africa.

Allan Border is among those who don't feel that is the right course to chart and Steve Waugh has his foot firmly in that camp, insisting Paine has not received the credit he deserved for helping to reshape Australia after the Test team hit rock bottom.