I Think It's The Right Time For Him, He’s A Cricket Captain - Michael Clarke Picks Pat Cummins As Australia's Next Test Skipper

Michael Clarke picks Pat Cummins to be appointed as Australia‘s next Test captain following the resignation of Tim Paine amid the ‘sexting’ scandal.

Paine, who was made the skipper following Steve Smith’s axing in 2018, stepped down from his position on Friday in light of the emergence of his explicit messages sent to a female co-worker in 2017.

Pat Cummins, who was named the vice-captain for the Ashes, is the leading candidate for the captaincy role. However, the fact that being a fast bowler comes with its own challenges and the speedster may even be needed to rest in the 5-Test series has made people wonder if Pat Cummins should be the next man to lead the country in Test cricket.

For Michael Clarke, he is. The former captain pointed out that despite Cummins’ less experience as a captain – he has led New South Wales in four one-day games last season – the pacer will have plenty of senior cricketers around him to help in the new role.

Speaking on Big Sports Breakfast, Michael Clarke said, “With so much seniority in the team, I think it is the right time for him. Because they can help him. Steve Smith, David Warner, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood. These guys have played a truckload of Test cricket. They can be there to help him, with or without the C or VC next to his name.”

Pat Cummins reads the game; he’s a cricket captain: Michael Clarke

Clarke further added that Pat Cummins, the top-ranked Test bowler, is a smart cricketer, who reads the game and his players very well. The 40-year-old highlighted that the seamer is a highly respected person among his teammates, media, and fans.

“You have to allow him time to get into this job. Because he hasn’t had 10 years of captain first-grade or state cricket. But sometimes you can see certain things in people, and I think he’s got it. He reads the game. He’s a cricket captain. Looking at on the field tactics. The way he talks to his players. The way he sets the field when he bowls,” the former batsman commented.

Steve Smith is another captaincy option which Cricket Australia have, and the board may choose to go that way, considering Smith’s experience at the helm.

Also Read: Tim Paine’s Female Co-Worker Demanded An Apology And $40,000 In Legal Costs After The ‘Sexting’ Incident Back In 2018