It is characteristic of the arrogance of Australian sport that victory somehow is always a function of our exploits and defeat our failings, never admitting to an opponent’s excellence or extravagance. If ever a match was won more than it was lost, it was Headingley. Paine, belying the boyish figure he cuts, is rising 35. His wicketkeeping remains world-class, but he has never made the runs he looks like he should, and he is not going to now; he is no Chris Rogers. It politely re-opens the question of succession. Waiting in the wings: Steve Smith. Credit:Getty Images It is clouded a bit by an historical quirk by which Australia has two accomplished wicketkeepers in the party besides Paine. As a gloveman, they could cover him doubly. As a captain, the question keeps going through to the keeper. Paine has said nothing explicit, but gives the impression that he is relishing the job and has put no time limit on it. Paine has poured oil on troubled waters. Australia owes him the sort of debt of gratitude it once owed Allan Border, as a man not obviously suited to the mission of resurrection - Border psychologically, Paine historically - who took it on and rose to it anyway, and did himself and his country proud.

It owes him the dignity of a negotiated, orderly departure, a garland and a farewell parade. But it also owes itself to continue to evolve and strengthen the team as one era gives way to the next. The project is bigger than any one in it. Cricket Australia has two delicate decisions to make: when and who? It says there is no urgency, but any given day there might be an emergency. In this series, doctor and physio are never far away. But all being well, the end of the next Test summer shapes as a proper threshold. Between then and the following summer, Australia plays only two Tests in Bangladesh in June. It is a hiatus made for a properly managed handover. Australian skipper Tim Paine during the side's touch rugby match at training. Credit:Getty Images But to who? Usman Khawaja has captaincy experience, but little outward enthusiasm for the Australian job, although that diffidence might be like his batting, a bodily deception he cannot help. In any case, he keeps drifting into the margins of team speculation. Nathan Lyon is the most experienced player in the team, but a name on no one’s lips. Pat Cummins is vice-captain, level-headed and the No.1 bowler in the world. But the operative word is bowler. Fast-bowling captains are rarities in world cricket and dodo-like in Australia. Their task is onerous enough already. Besides, if you think DRS is combustible in the hands of a wicketkeeper-captain, imagine it in the charge of a bowler! Instructively, Khawaja, Lyon and Cummins all were in the team in Cape Town, but none were considered to step into the breach. It was gaping.

Travis Head is with Cummins a co-vice-captain, but is still bedding down his place. Matthew Wade, like Khawaja and Head, captains his state, but fits better into the Test team as guerilla than general. Alex Carey has many admirers and is Paine’s heir apparent as wicketkeeper, but hasn’t played a Test. Loading This process of elimination leaves one man. He is assured of his place. He has the necessary job experience at the level. He acts sometimes as de facto leader on the field anyway, presumably with the blessing of Paine. He has ideas to implement, wisdom to bring to bear. He fits the Australian model as the best player in the team. He is, of course, Steve Smith. Smith, with an asterisk. Is Cape Town far enough in the past? Has he paid his penance? Some, many, will say no and never. But what is the point of punishment if it does not afford the chance of redemption? What is the point of sport if not for betterment. If CA meant for Smith never to captain again, it could have mandated it. It did for Warner. It judged Smith differently, with better rehabilitation prospects. Some maintain he should have got life, but even lifers don’t get life. The ICC gave him one match, remember. The past 18 months have been a mini-lifetime for Smith. They were bracketed by two jolts, the first to sense of self, the latest to his head. They are bound to chasten a man and make him think.