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Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts says a change in captaincy is not expected when Steve Smith's leadership ban ends in April.

Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts expects Tim Paine to keep his role as captain of the Australian men's cricket team when Steve Smith's leadership ban expires next year.

Roberts has praised Smith for giving tactical support on the field, but says Cricket Australia wants Paine to continue as captain.

Thursday's opener against New Zealand will mark the start of the last Test series Australia play during Smith's ban, which ends in late March 2020.

Former Australia captain Adam Gilchrist has declared Smith fit to succeed Paine as captain with the former skipper having repaid his dues following the ball-tampering scandal.

However, Roberts doesn't think anyone in Australian cricket other than Paine could have led the turnaround as captain on the field.

"At the moment, we are just so grateful of Tim Paine's leadership in that role," Roberts told Sky Sports radio.

"Steve is doing a (Don) Bradman-type role in being a specialist batter, and providing some tactical support to both of the Australian captains on the field too.

"We don't anticipate a change in leadership when Steve is eligible to play leadership roles.

"You don't need a badge to be a leader. Where Steve is playing a really helpful leadership role is in tactical support, particularly for Tim as Test captain.

"We're really happy with the roles as their defined, and we want Tim to continue as captain."