Pat Cummins is favoured to become the first fast bowler to assume the full-time captaincy of Australia’s Test team after Tim Paine’s shock resignation. Previous skipper Tim Paine’s bombshell of sexting just 20 days before the Ashes 2021/22 has prompted a rushed search for a new leader matched only by his own appointment three years ago
The lack of time before such an important series is likely to work in vice-captain Pat Cummins’ favour. Former skipper Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, shape as the other options. It’s thought Steve Smith’s history with the ball-tampering scandal in 2018 could prove too hard to overcome in a time of crisis, having completed a two-year leadership ban last year.
Pat Cummins, The Present Vice-Captain Is Favourite To Lead Australia After Tim Paine Stepped Down
Marnus Labuschagne revealed his captaincy ambitions just this week and has previously had the backing of Tim Paine and Ricky Ponting, but is yet to lead his state and has played only 18 Tests. David Warner is the only other experienced member of Australia’s batting order, but he still has a permanent ban on leadership for his role in the 2018 Cape Town ball-tampering.
This leaves the widely-respected Pat Cummins as the most likely man selectors will recommend to the Cricket Australia board to be the nation’s 47th men’s Test captain. However, Pat Cummins already has support from within the playing group, with Travis Head the first man to back him in on Friday.
The ‘Sandpaper Gate’ ball-tampering scandal in 2018 is considered one of the darkest moments in Australian cricket history. Cricket Australia took some bold calls as they first removed the captain and vice-captain of the side.
Later, Cricket Australia handed a one-year ban to both Steve Smith and David Warner, while Cameron Bancroft was given a nine-month suspension. Australia coach Darren Lehmann also resigned after the episode.
Pat Cummins Oozes Leadership As He Fives 120% Every Time: Travis Head
Travis Head and Pat Cummins previously shared the deputy role, before Pat Cummins took over as sole vice-captain at the start of last summer. Travis Head only learned of Tim Paine’s lewd-text situation as he fronted the media in Adelaide for a previously-organized media conference, but he backed Pat Cummins to take over whenever an opening developed.
“It’s hard to go past (Cummins) at the moment or not give him the opportunity to (lead), Travis Head said.
“He is someone who oozes leadership, not only in the way he presents himself, the way he speaks, the way he goes about things, the way he trains but also when he’s on the field. No matter, the conditions, the weather, the situation or game he gives 120 per cent every time.
“Everyone sees that in Australian cricket. The way he is off the field is unbelievable. He’s well rounded. If he does get his opportunity, which I’m sure he will in the future, whatever that may be. I think he will do a fantastic job.”
If Pat Cummins was to be appointed captain, he would become the first quick to hold the role in any Test since Ray Lindwall filled in for Ian Johnson in India in 1956. None, however, have held the role in a full-time capacity before, with that role was previously only reserved for batsmen, wicketkeepers, and spinners on the odd occasion.
But even then, Richie Benaud is the last bowler to have led Australia, making him one of the country’s finest Test captains before he retired in 1964. Setting such a precedent is known not to concern Australia’s selectors. A former quick himself, Tony Dodemaide, declared he’d be happy for a bowler to lead when he gave his first interview as a selector last month.
Pat Cummins has also previously indicated he believed he could juggle the responsibilities, viewing last year’s time in charge of NSW in one-day cricket earlier this year as an audition. Australia has not played a test since losing to India at the Gabba in January 2021, which saw the hosts fall to a 2-1 series defeat as the tour to South Africa and the one-off Test against Afghanistan didn’t happen.