Melbourne: Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins has been named as the 47th captain of the Australian men’s Test cricket team on Friday. Former skipper Steve Smith has also made a comeback to a leadership role as Cummins’ deputy ahead of the upcoming Ashes series.
Cummins will take the captaincy charge from Tim Paine, who stood down from the position last week. Paine had resigned from his position after some of his explicit messages from 2017 made to a former colleague went public. The wicket-keeper batsman had no choice but to quit as soon as the texts were publicized.
Cummins, who is currently the regarded as World No. 1 bowler in the Test circuit has been appointed as the Test skipper of the men’s national team with an ‘unexpected honour’.
“I am honoured to accept this role ahead of what will be a massive Ashes summer. I hope I can provide the same leadership Tim (Paine) has given the group in the past few years,” Cummins said in a statement issued by cricket.com.au.
The 47th captain of the Australian men's Test cricket team! @patcummins30 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/bM4QefTATt
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) November 26, 2021
“With Steve and I as captains, a number of very senior players in this squad and some great young talent coming through we are a strong and tightly-knit group. This is an unexpected privilege which I am very grateful for and am very much looking forward to,” he added.
Speaking over his appointment as Test skipper, the former skipper admitted that he is pleased to be entrusted with the responsibility all over again.
“I am pleased to return to the leadership of the team and look forward to helping and assisting Pat in any way I can. Pat and I have played together for a long time, so we know our respective styles well,” Smith said.
Earlier this morning, Paine had also decided to take an indefinite break from the sport, hence he will not be a part of the upcoming Ashes series against England.
