Steve Smith has enjoyed a solid start to his Caribbean Premier League sojourn, scoring 41 to help the Barbados Tridents record a 30-run victory over the Guyana Amazon Warriors.
Smith shared a game-changing partnership of 105 runs with West Indies young gun Shai Hope, piloting their side to a total of 4-185 at Guyana's Providence Stadium.
The hosts were unable to overhaul the highest T20 total at the spin-friendly venue, finishing 8-155 as Raymon Reifer snared a five-wicket haul.
Smith didn't roll his arm over but regularly consulted Barbados skipper Jason Holder, who also leads West Indies, about bowling changes and field placings.
"Definitely it does (help having Smith's experience)," Holder said in the post-match ceremony.
"We've got a wealth of knowledge on the field.
"Smithy was a successfully captain. He shared a lot of knowledge."
Australia's sacked skipper is serving a 12-month ban from international cricket for his role in the Cape Town cheating scandal.
Smith is also barred from representing NSW or any Big Bash League franchise under the terms of Cricket Australia's punishments.
Smith and Hope, who top-scored for Barbados with 88 off 45 balls, steadied the innings after the visitors slipped to 2-11.
Smith marched past 40 with minimal fuss, barring a couple of mix-ups with Hope, before being trapped lbw by South African legspinner Imran Tahir.
The right-hander didn't bother waiting for the umpire's verdict, marching off the field while cursing his inability to make the most of a great start.
Smith all but decided to skip the Caribbean T20 tournament but had a late change of heart and was signed by Barbados as a replacement for Shakib Al Hasan.
David Warner, who is also taking part in the CPL, has posted scores of 9 and 11 for the winless St Lucia Stars.
