Pat Cummins appointed Test captain, Steve Smith named deputy

Pat Cummins has been named as Australia’s 47th Test captain while Steve Smith has been appointed as the vice-captain of the team.

Cummins will become the first fast bowler to lead Australia on a full-time basis while he will also become the first bowler to lead the country after Richie Benaud.

Cummins has been Australia’s vice-captain for the last two years and he will take over the captaincy baton from Tim Paine who decided to relinquish his leadership duties after the emergence of the sexting scandal.

Cummins added that it will be his honor to lead Australia and he will look to take Australian cricket to new heights.

“I am honored to accept this role ahead of what will be a massive Ashes summer,” Cummins said in a statement. “I hope I can provide the same leadership Tim (Paine) has given the group in the past few years. 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.”

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia has also put their weight behind Steve Smith to be back in the leadership role. Smith was banned from any leadership role for two years back in 2018 after the Cape Town ball-tampering saga while David Warner had received a lifetime ban from any leadership role.

“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. We are also great friends, as is the whole group. As a team, we want to play good, positive cricket and also really enjoy each other’s company. There are exciting times ahead as we focus on the Ashes and beyond,” Smith said.

“Pat is an outstanding player and leader. He has earned enormous respect from his teammates and from all corners of the game for his attitude and achievements, both on and off the field. We are extremely fortunate to have an experienced group of senior players who themselves are superb leaders. I have no doubt that Pat and Steve will be well supported in their respective leadership roles,” Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said.

The first Ashes Test will be played at the Gabba, Brisbane from December 8.