Cricket World Cup: Steven Smith Has Shown Why he Should be Next Aussie Captain, Says Ricky Ponting

Steven Smith has won Ricky Ponting's backing to succeed Michael Clarke as Australia's next ODI skipper. The cricket World Cup final, played in Melbourne on Sunday, was Clarke's last ODI and Smith played a solid hand in as Australia won the coveted Cup for a record fifth time. (Clarke and Heir Apparent Smith Leave Their Mark)

Smith anchored Australia's chase against New Zealand on Sunday. He was unbeaten on 56 as Australia coasted to glory after Clarke struck a 72-ball 74 to knock to ensure there were no hiccups en route to the 184-run target. Smith's responsible role by now has become common place for the Australians. He has lead his team every time Australia needed it. (Clarke: ODI Exit Closest to Fairytale Ending)

Smith's sublime century laid the groundwork and Australia's pace bowlers finished the job to send the co-hosts storming into a seventh World Cup final with a 95-run victory over champions India on Thursday. Smith's 105 helped Australia to a total of 328 for seven, the highest in a World Cup semi-final, and although skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni hit a defiant 65, India were dismissed for 233 in the 47th over. (Australia's Revival at World Cup)

Ponting sees no debate on who should succeed Clarke as ODI skipper. Although George Bailey has done the job for Australia, Ponting actually sees a bigger role for the 25-year-old Smith from New South Wales.

"I am a huge George Bailey fan, we have played a lot of state cricket together," Ponting told ESPNcricinfo.

"He's also been a great leader, but this guy, Smith, is just in the prime of his career right now. He is playing beautifully, and it looks like he has sewn down the No. 3 batting spot, potentially even in the Test team.

"With Clarke making the decision to retire from one-day cricket, you would think he's only got a couple of years of Test cricket left in him, so Smith should be serving as one-day captain to be totally ready to take over the Test job when Michael finishes."

Smith has been piling on the runs and breaking records all summer long. And on Thursday, in one of the biggest matches of his blossoming career, he did it again, scoring a match-winning century in the World Cup semi-final against India.

Smith's 105 was a composed and perfectly-constructed innings. He came to the crease early after Australia lost David Warner in the fourth over and quickly settled the host nation's nerves.

For Smith, his century continued his amazing run of form with the bat this summer. In the four-Test series against India, which started in November, he scored a century in every match.

In the months leading up to the World Cup, he also scored one-day international centuries against South Africa and England before notching his first World Cup hundred on Thursday.

Smith's extraordinary run has coincided with his surprise promotion to the Australian captaincy.

When regular skipper Michael Clarke hobbled out of the first Test against India with a hamstring injury, Smith was given the nod as Australia's 45th Test skipper and hasn't looked back.

Ponting, who played in three World Cup winning finals, thinks Australia have the building blocks in place to dominate one-day cricket in the years to come. He credited Clarke and coach Darren Lehmann for ensuring the balance of the squad was "spot on" going into the tournament.

And with Smith around, the leadership role will be in safe hands.