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Cape Town - Former Australia captain Steve Smith has backed Cameron Bancroft to be a success as skipper of English county side Durham this season.
Bancroft, along with Smith and David Warner, has only recently returned to the game after serving a nine-month suspension for the ball-tampering affair last year.
Durham raised a few eyebrows when they signed Bancroft as an overseas player for the season and then appointed him as captain.
The decision has not gone well with everybody in the English game with former England seamer Darren Gough particularly scathing calling it a disgrace.
Smith, who is currently playing the Indian Premier League (IPL), though feels his former international teammate has shown good character to bounce back from the ball-tampering saga and is a "good choice" as a leader.
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Smith said: "Cam is a good choice for captain.
"He's got a good head on his shoulders and has shown great character in the way he has come back after his time out.
"It has been a tough time for him no doubt, but he's a good guy who will do his best for Durham and will lead them well.
"He gets the game pretty well and has a good understanding of strategy and players.
"He's found a bit of form with the bat and will be able to use his experience in a positive way."
Bancroft will use his stint at Durham to try and force his way back into the Australia Test side for the Ashes later this year that will be played in the UK.
