Ashes 2021: Australia’s Pat Cummins said that he will contact ex-skipper Tim Paine before the Ashes opener on Wednesday. He will seek some late inspiration ahead of captaincy debut against England at the Gabba, Brisbane. Cummins said he had several chats with Paine about leading the team since the wicketkeeper stepped away from the game on a mental health break, and would continue to do so. Follow Ashes 2021 live updates on InsideSport.IN
Cummins also added that he will take cues from Steve Waugh, Michael Clarke, Ricky Ponting and vice-captain Steve Smith.
Ashes 2021: Pat Cummins says Tim Paine has got great experience, will keep learning from him via calls
“Yeah, it’s been good to chat. He still obviously wishes he was up here and part of it all but he needs to be home,” Cummins told reporters on Tuesday.
“He’s going alright.
“I’ll probably give him another call this arvo (afternoon) and keep leaning on him for different ideas on how to work with our players. He’s got great experience.
“Great guy, (I’ll) keep learning off him.”
Paine, who resigned from the captaincy over a ‘sexting’ scandal last month, led Australia to their first retention of the urn in England for nearly 20 years at the drawn 2019 series.
Ashes 2021: Australia Test skipper Pat Cummins on Tuesday said that it is a “crazy feeling” to be leading the side in the upcoming Ashes.
Cummins was named Australia’s skipper after Tim Paine stepped down from the post following a sexting scandal. Steve Smith will don the hat of vice-captain.
“Similar to when I debuted and received my Baggy Green, you’re part of that history. And I remember thinking that was a really cool moment that tied together Donald Bradman, and Richie Benaud, and all the greats of the game. On a different level, it’s almost crazy being the 47th men’s Test captain, the lineage of Painey (Tim Paine), ‘Smithy’ (Steve Smith), Ricky Ponting. Michael Clarke, Steve Waugh – they’re legends of the game, (who) I grew up watching,” cricket.com.au quoted Cummins as saying.
“You can pick out different parts of each captain. Steve Waugh was with us in the Ashes last time (in 2019), and he was great, how simple he kept things. There’s so much noise and things going on, and data and things to get caught up with, especially us cricket lovers – the way he just distilled it down and kept it really simple was great,” he added.
Talking about past captains Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke, Cummins said:
“Michael Clarke made me feel 10-feet tall when I walked out to bowl, even if I didn’t feel like I was super confident. Ricky Ponting, just a great people person. Steve Smith just led from the front. Painey, great people person … so great examples to take from all of them.”
“We’ll be concentrating on what we do really well. We won’t be getting caught up in too many grand plans or changing too much of what we do for certain players. We’ve got a few ideas, but I don’t think you’ll see too different to what we normally do,” he added.
England and Australia will lock horns in five-match Ashes, beginning December 8 at the Gabba, Brisbane.
Ashes 2021: Pat Cummins says Tim Paine has got great experience, will keep learning from him via calls
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