Captaincy Is Something I'd Like To Have A Crack At - Pat Cummins
Published - 04 Feb 2021, 06:00 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:40 AM
Fast bowler Pat Cummins says that he would like to try out, if presented with the opportunity, as the captain of the Australia team. With Australia losing at home a series to India, a team who were without several major players, Tim Paine’s captaincy has come under question.
Pat Cummins, who is the vice-captain, is believed by many to take the reins of the Test team. However, the pacer points out that he has no major experience in leading a cricket team – but would really want to see how he goes about it. Cummins, who is the number 1 ICC Test bowler, is known to be a smart and hard-working player and could well be the next Aussie skipper.
“Absolutely – at the moment I haven’t got too much experience at all, just a couple of warm-up games in England, and other than that it’s Under-16s cricket when I last captained. So for sure it’s something that’s going to be more on the radar.
“Even to increase my experience as vice-captain if I ever need to step in or help out Painey or Finchy, I think it is something I’d like to have a crack at to find out either way, whether I enjoy it, whether I’m no good at it or whether I find it manageable,” Pat Cummins told ESPNcricinfo.
As a bowler, you can switch off, but a captain needs to switch on all the time: Pat Cummins
Pat Cummins, who was Man of the Series against India despite Australia losing, reckons he will have to be always switched on as a captain compared to his current role as a bowler where he gets time to stay away from the proceedings in the middle. The 27-year-old maintains he would have to make changes to his bowling plans and his game if he is to be put at the helm.
“I think that would be the big one, at times, just the nature of not having to totally switch on, you take the opportunity to switch off. That’d probably be the biggest change, but whether that’s a dealbreaker or not, I’d have to try it first I think. Naturally, you try to stay pretty involved in a game, so always thinking about the game in the background. Just taking that extra step to be a decision-maker, it might be a small step or a big step, but keen to give it a crack and see how it goes,” the pacer added.
Since Australia’s tour to South Africa has been postponed there position in the World Test Championship will depend on the result of the series between India and England. One of Australia, India, and England will face New Zealand in the WTC final at Lord’s this June.
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