Smith one of Australia's 'most promising cricketers' in 2 decades: Waugh

London, July 3(ANI): Former Australia captain Steve Waugh insists that leg spinner Steve Smith has the potential to be the country's No.1 spinner, as he is one of the most promising cricketers to have come forward in the last 20 years.

Waugh's comments come as Smith prepares for a possible Test debut in the upcoming series against Pakistan after the injury to off-spinner Nathan Hauritz.

"I think Steve Smith is one of the most promising cricketers we have seen in Australia in the past 20 years," Fox Sports quoted Waugh, as saying.

"I think he could be the No.1 spinner. You have to give him a little bit of time, I mean leg-spin is a tough art. We have been really spoilt by Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill and people forget Stuart MacGill was a terrific spinner as well," he added.

The former captain also praised the 20-year-old for the impact he has made with both bat and ball in the ongoing ODI series against England.

"I think with his batting he is not far off being in the top six batters anyway, he is an excellent fieldsman as well when you have that sort of talent then you have to got give that an opportunity," Waugh said.

"Whether he comes in as an all-rounder (I'm not sure), but he has to be close to being in that first Test side," he added. (ANI)