Australia’s New Test Captain – Pat Cummins to take over! It is almost final that Pat Cummins will take over as Australia’s new test captain. According to news coming in from Australia, consensus has almost been made over Cummins name with Steve Smith tipped to be appointed as his deputy. It is still undecided if ‘disgraced’ Tim Paine continues to hold his position in Australian team or will be dropped the squad for the Ashes: Follow InsideSport.IN for all Latest updates on the ASHES
Tim Paine Sexting Scandal: Australian captain quits ahead of Ashes after…
Australia’s New Test Captain: Pat Cummins certain to take over Australia’s captaincy for the Ashes, Steve Smith likely to be appointed his deputy
Pat Cummins to take over: A number of high-profile figures in Australian cricket have backed Cummins as national selectors made peace with the idea that a fast bowler can hold the captaincy, a rare situation in Cricket Australia.
No fast bowler has captained Australia in any men’s format since 1956. Ray Lindwall had led against India in a lone Test in Mumbai.
Mark Taylor
Cricket Australia board director Mark Taylor feels that the country need to choose someone who is not involved in any past ordeal.
“I think CA will probably want to go for someone fresh and clean. The timing will make it a more comfortable decision for CA to make Pat the captain,” Taylor told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“It will be hard to go back after another controversy to Steve. I know Pat very well, he’s a terrific fella. I think it is harder for a quick bowler to be captain. In terms of leadership he will be very good because he’s a good, solid human being,” he added.
Steve Smith to be Vice-Captain?
- Taylor’s statement rules out Steve Smith’s return as skipper but could be considered for the vice-captaincy role.
- Experienced Smith would be a logical choice as he is able to make tactical moves on the field.
- He can assist the pacer during long spells and step in as a short-term skipper in case of injury or rest.
- He has led Australia in 34 Tests with 52 per cent success rate before being sacked after the 2018 Sandpaper gate scandal in South Africa.
Travis Head
Meanwhile, Ashes squad member Travis Head has backed Pat Cummins to take the leadership role.
“Obviously Pat’s been well spoken about, named as vice-captain, it’s hard to go past him, or [not] give him the opportunity to. He’s someone who oozes leadership, not only in the way he presents himself and speaks and the way he goes about things and the way he trains but also when he’s on the field,” he told reporters.
Dennis Lillee and Steve Waugh
Meanwhile, Dennis Lillee and Steve Waugh had already endorsed Pat Cummins as skipper. While Lillee called him a born leader, Waugh said Cummins is the man to step in for Australia.
“He’s an intelligent guy but more than that, he’s got real cricket smarts. He’s a born leader. He’s 110 per cent all the time, whether the wicket is flat or not, and I admire that in a fast bowler. He’s a leader of men and they look up to him. There have been fast bowlers who have captained. Imran Khan, Bob Willis – In Imran’s case, he was batting and bowling. They are modern cricketers that have proven really strongly that a fast bowler certainly can captain the side,” Lillee said as quoted by CA.
“They say bowlers can’t do it, but they said keepers couldn’t do it. I’ve always thought that if he’s bowling the vice-captain could set the field to give him a mental break. He has good acumen, the respect of the players and he’s ready to go. I think when Tim Paine steps down, Pat Cummins is the man to step in,” Steve Waugh told SEN earlier this month.
Greg Chappell
Former Australia international Greg Chappell has also backed vice-captain Pat Cummins to take over as Paine’s replacement.
“The fortunate thing is that in Pat Cummins, they have an excellent candidate, ready to go,” Chappell wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald.
“Like Paine before him, Cummins will be required to not merely lead the team but again rebuild faith in the role and Australian cricket.”
However, the cricket board is yet to finalise a captain which is traditionally led by a selection panel in conversation with the directors.
NOTE: No fast bowler has captained Australia in any men’s format since 1956. Ray Lindwall had led against India in a lone Test in Mumbai.
Australia’s New Test Captain: Pat Cummins certain to take over Australia’s captaincy for the Ashes, Steve Smith likely to be appointed his deputy
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