Former Aussie captain believes in Pooran talent despite ‘slip up’

A Nicholas Pooran-less West Indies did not have the power to deal with Afghanistan over the course of a three-match T20I series, the wicketkeeper/batsman missing out while he serves a four-match ban over ball tampering.

Steve Smith, who had been banned for a year for the part he played in a ball-tampering scandal, lost his captaincy of Australia, and is only months back with the side.

Pooran was only banned for four games but Smith doesn’t feel the talented middle-order batsman should be punished anymore harshly.

"Everyone is different, every board is different, and the way they deal with certain issues. For me, I copped it on the chin... it is what it is,” he said.

Smith expects a better Pooran to come out of the embarrassment of being caught cheating.

“I know Nicholas, I've played a bit of cricket with him and he's a talented player and someone with a bright future," Smith said.

"I think he'll learn from his mistake and move past it,” he said.

I played with him in the Caribbean league at Barbados. I think he's going to be an exceptional player in white-ball cricket."