A Cricket Australia panel has interviewed Pat Cummins and Steve Smith for the positions of captain and vice-captain of the Australian Test team.
This brings Cricket Australia a step closer to unveiling star fast bowler Pat Cummins as Australia’s 47th Test captain and returning Steve Smith to a leadership position for the first time since the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal.
Pat Cummins and Steve Smith Interviewed For Captaincy Roles By Cricket Australia After Tim Paine Stepped Down As Skipper
The interviews follow the dramatic resignation of Tim Paine from the captaincy when his exchange of lewd text messages with a former Cricket Tasmania staffer was revealed last Friday. The pair appeared by video link before a committee comprising selectors George Bailey and Tony Dodemaide, chief executive Nick Hockley, chair Richard Freudenstein and board member Mel Jones.
Pat Cummins and Steve Smith are at a quarantined training camp on the Gold Coast ahead of the first Ashes Test in Brisbane. Pat Cummins and Steve Smith have been widely seen as a standout leadership duo, given that as a former captain himself, Steve Smith will be capable of stepping in whenever Pat Cummins is forced to rest because of the rigours and injury risks of fast bowling.
Steve Smith May Be Made Vice-Captain As He Would Return To A Leadership Role For The First Time Since Sandpaper Gate Scandal In 2018
If Steve Smith is indeed made the vice-captain, then he would return to a leadership role for the first time since the Sandpaper Gate in 2018. Steve Smith captained Australia in 34 Tests prior to 2018, in which he guided them to 18 victories, 10 defeats, and six draws.
Pat Cummins and Steve Smith appeared before a committee comprising selectors George Bailey and Tony Dodemaide, chief executive Nick Hockley, chair Richard Freudenstein and board member Mel Jones. Australia head coach Justin Langer is not a part of the Cricket Australia (CA) panel to pick the next Test skipper.
Fast bowler Pat Cummins is favourite to replace Tim Paine as Test captain ahead of the Ashes series, which starts in Brisbane on December 8. The front runner for the top job in Australian cricket is vice-captain and pacer Pat Cummins, while former captain Steve Smith has previously expressed his desire to lead the side again.
Following Tim Paine’s resignation from the Test captaincy, doubts have been cast over his role in the side, with many calling for him to be dropped. Matthew Wade, Josh Inglis, and Alex Carey are the candidates to replace Tim Paine if he isn’t allowed to play.