Pat Cummins Is Someone Who Oozes Leadership - Travis Head Backs Pacer To Be The Next Test Captain Following Tim Paine's Resignation

Travis Head has tipped Pat Cummins to be Australia‘s next Test captain, following Tim Paine’s sudden resignation from the post on Friday.

Paine stepped down from the position of Australia‘s Test skipper with less than three weeks to go for the first Ashes Test after the emergence of a ‘sexting’ incident involving a former Cricket Tasmania employee in 2017. However, the wicket-keeper will continue to be available for selection.

Travis Head, who is included in the squad for the first two Ashes Test, spoke highly of current vice-captain, Pat Cummins, who is likely to be promoted to the captaincy role.

The left-hander asserted that the lanky pacer is a respected person among the group, and is someone who the players look up to for his commitment to the game on and off the field.

“Obviously Pat’s been well spoken about, named as vice-captain, it’s hard to go past him, or give him the opportunity to, he’s someone who oozes leadership, not only in the way he presents himself and speaks and the way he goes about things and the way he trains, but also when he’s on the field,” Head was quoted as saying by Fox Sports.

I’ll be ready if I have to: Pat Cummins

Upon his return to Australia from the UAE after winning the T20 World Cup, Pat Cummins, who is also the NSW one-day captain, was asked if he was ready to step up should Paine, who was recovering from neck surgery, be unavailable for any reason.

The 28-year-old seamer said that he’d be ready should the opportunity arises.

“I guess so. I’ve been in the role for a couple of years now. I’ll be ready if I have to, but I doubt that,” he said on Tuesday, well before news of Paine’s resignation.

Steve Smith, who was sacked as captain in 2018 in light of the ‘Sandpapergate’ scandal in South Africa, is another candidate for the position.

Australia’s squad for the first two Ashes Tests:

Tim Paine, Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

Also Read: Alex Hales’ Blackface Photo From 2009 Party Goes Viral, Batter Explains Reason To Paint His Face