Cummins replaces Paine as Aussie test skipper

Fast bowler Pat Cummins has been named captain of the Australia test cricket side replacing Tim Paine, who stood down from the position last week.

Paine resigned after revelations he had been investigated and cleared over sexually explicit text messages sent to a female former colleague four years ago.

Cummins, 28, becomes only the second specialist fast bowler to take the captaincy after Ray Lindwall, who led for one test against India in the mid-1950s.

“I am honoured to accept this role ahead of what will be a massive Ashes summer,” said Cummins in a statement.

Pat Cummins is congratulated by teamates after taking a wicket in the 2019 Ashes series.
Photo: Photosport

“I hope I can provide the same leadership Tim (Paine) has given the group in the past few years.

“With Steve (Smith) 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.”

As vice-captain, Cummins was the obvious choice to replace Paine and his appointment enables a rapid transition with the start of the Ashes series against England less than two weeks away.

Smith replaces Cummins as vice-captain, returning to a formal leadership role after serving a 12-month ban and a two-year leadership suspension in the wake of the Newlands ball-tampering scandal in 2018.

Steve Smith has returned to a leadership role in the side following despite a previous suspension in the wake of the ball-tampering saga in South Africa.
Photo: All Rights Reserved

Cummins has taken over as Australia’s leading paceman in recent seasons and tops the ICC’s test bowling rankings.

Even before Paine’s embarrassing resignation a procession of former players and pundits had endorsed Cummins as Australia’s captain-in-waiting, despite former skipper Smith’s hopes of returning to the role.

“I just think Pat Cummins has developed into a more integral part of that team and grown in his knowledge of the game and experiences he’s had,” former Australia wicketkeeper and captain Adam Gilchrist told Reuters last week.

Meanwhile Paine has announced he’s taking an indefinite mental health break from the game.

-Reuters