ICC World Cup 2023: Pat Cummins Has Good Wingman In Steve Smith- Matthew Hayden

Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden feels that although Pat Cummins doesn’t have much experience as a skipper in ODI cricket, he has a good wingman in Steve Smith during the forthcoming ICC World Cup 2023.

Aaron Finch was the skipper of Australia in white-ball formats for the last few years. However, after he retired from international cricket, Pat Cummins was promoted to captain in ODIs. Moreover, Pat Cummins will also lead Australia in ICC World Cup 2023.

Pat Cummins Has Got A Good Wingman In Steve Smith: Matthew Hayden

While speaking during CEAT awards show in Mumbai, former Australia batsman Matthew Hayden highlighted the fact that Australia always had experienced captains in ODI World Cups, unlike this time.

“We’ve always had a very settled Australian captain with vast experience when you think back to the World Cups – Allan Border’s World Cup-winning effort here in India, lots of experience. It was a legacy captaincy, and you could go right down through the ages: Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke – all World Cup winners, and all vast experience.

Also Read: ICC World Cup 2023: “It Will Be Between Virat Kohli And Steve Smith In The World Cup To Stamp Their Supremacy” – Greg Chappell

However, Hayden also pointed out that Pat Cummins has a good wingman in the form of Steve Smith and this is the solution for Australia to combat Pat Cummins’ inexperience as ODI skipper.

“It’s got to help, there’s no doubt about it. But between the other characters like Steve Smith – you’ve seen how visible he is when Pat’s got the ball in his hand, he’s flapping around as he busily does anyway. But he has got a good wingman in Steve Smith as well, again with lots of experience. So, I’m not saying it’s a team captaincy, but I think it’s a solution that Australia’s got covered,” the former left-handed batter further said.

A few weeks ago, Australia announced its preliminary squad for ICC World Cup 2023. Australia has named 18 players and three will be eliminated in the final list.

Pat Cummins is the skipper of the team. Senior players like Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, and David Warner will provide great support to Pat Cummins.

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Australia will face India in their opening match of the ICC World Cup 2023. The encounter takes place on October 5 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. ICC World Cup 2023 commences on October 5.