Cricket Australia (CA) may appoint Steve Smith as permanent Australia skipper

Reports suggest that Cricket Australia (CA) may appoint Steve Smith as Australia's permanent skipper for future tournaments.

The decision is hugely favored thanks to former skipper Michael Clarke's repeated breakdown due to injury issues and also the fact that he did not particularly enjoy a 'healthy relation' with CA officials.According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, Clarke may be out of reckoning as Australia's permanent skipper, thanks to the mergence of Smith.

Despite being Australia's World Cup skipper, Clarke may be replaced by Smith for the all-important Ashes series in England later this year.Though CA chief James Sutherland has expressed confidence in Clarke, the focus is firmly fixed on Smith.Smith has been in sublime form with the bat and was the highest run-scorer in the Test series against India. 

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He has also managed to take his form into the Carlton tri-series - scoring a fine century against England.Smith also recently recieved the Allan Border medal which reaffirmed his position as Australia's emerging talent. Despite his recent off-field travails, Clarke has still not given up hope of regaining captaincy once back in full fitness.

Reports have also suggested that Clarke may soldier on till the 2019 World Cup.