Canberra, Oct. 29 -- Former India head coach Ravi Shastri outlined the quality of Steve Smith that has always amazed him, and expects the captaincy for the first Ashes Test in Perth to bring the best out of him.

Cricket Australia on Monday confirmed that designated skipper Pat Cummins will miss the opening Test due to a lumbar bone stress injury in his back. With the speedster sidelined for the pulsating fixture, scheduled to begin on November 21, Smith will serve as the leader in Cummins' stead.

Smith led Australia from 2015 to 2018 in 32 Tests, winning 17, losing 10 and drawing five. After his stint ended, Smith was handed the captaincy mantle sporadically. He has enjoyed a prolific form, churning out 4,139 runs in 40 Tests, averaging...