Greg Chappell
Greg Chappell (Image Credit: Twitter)

Former Australian player Greg Chappell backed pace bowler Pat Cummins to lead Australia in Test Cricket after Tim Paine stepped down from the role recently.

On Friday, wicketkeeper-batter Tim Paine resigned from Australia’s Test captaincy role after the emergence of an investigation four years ago by Cricket Australia for sending an explicit image to a female co-worker at Cricket Tasmania.

The board will have very few choices between former Australian captain Steve Smith, who was axed after the ball-tampering scandal, or Cummins, who is currently the vice-captain of the Test side.

Pat Cummins is extremely intelligent: Greg Chappell

Chappell feels that Cummins is an excellent candidate for the vacant post, and if he gets the role, he will also be responsible for rebuilding Australia’s faith in captaincy.

The fortunate thing is that in Pat Cummins, they have an excellent candidate, ready to go. I expect Cummins to be announced as the 47th Australian men’s Test captain. Like Paine before him, Cummins will be required to not merely lead the team but again rebuild faith in the role and Australian cricket,” Chappell wrote in his column for Sydney Morning Herald.

Pat Cummins
Pat Cummins (Image Credit: Twitter)

“Pat is extremely intelligent, an outstanding player and has an excellent cricket brain, so is ideal for the role. Besides, he is not lippy, preferring the bat and ball to do the talking. Naturally athletic, a terrific fielder with a rocket arm, I expect him to improve in leaps and bounds as a batter with the responsibility of captaincy. He is easily the world’s best No.8 batter currently, but capable of batting a notch higher,” he further mentioned.

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Crowds love Pat Cummins for bowling his heart out: Greg Chappell

Cummins has 164 Test scalps to his name from 34 Test matches and is also the vice-captain for Australia in all formats.

Chappell said that crowds in Australia love Cummins’ bowling and his impression of being cleanskin in the Australian team.

“Crowds love him and see him for what he is – a cleanskin, who always bowls his heart out for Australia and a resilient chap who has overcome injury challenges with sheer perseverance, dedication and dint of character,” Chappell mentioned.

Pat Cummins
Pat Cummins (Image Credit: Twitter)

Cummins was also part of Australia’s T20 World Cup title triumph campaign in the UAE and picked five wickets.

Also Read: Ashes 2021-22: Australia Will Take Confidence From T20 World Cup Title, Says Pat Cummins