Michael Clarke Reveals His Choice For The Next Australian Captain

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has opened up on his choice for the national team’s next skipper across formats. The topic for the next candidate to lead is an ongoing one since limited-overs captain Aaron Finch and Test captain Tim Paine are nearing the twilight of their careers. Meanwhile, Michael Clarke has named a rather unusual contender for the job.

Former Australian skipper Steve Smith remains one of the leading candidates for the position. Steve Smith was unceremoniously sacked as the leader of the side when David Warner and Cameron Bancroft embroiled themselves into the ball-tampering scandal under his watch two years ago in South Africa. With Smith eligible to be the skipper again, the question remains as to whether Cricket Australia will give him the responsibility.

But Michael Clarke believes paceman Pat Cummins is ready for the captaincy job and is glad that Cricket Australia has made him the deputy. Clarke thinks that with Aaron Finch and Tim Paine doing a great job, Cummins has the opportunity to watch and learn along with understanding how is experience would be in case he gets the position. The retired cricketer hopes for the number one Test bowler to at least have the captaincy spot in a few practice games.

“Patty’s ready for it. I love that they’ve given him the full-time vice-captaincy. Right now I think Finchy is doing a great job, Painey is doing a great job, so that gives Pat Cummins the opportunity to learn and watch and sit back and and see how he feels about that role and experience a few different things. Hopefully he gets an opportunity along the way to captain in certain games, whether it be Australia A or whether it be a tour game, whatever it is, which I’m sure he will,” Clarke said as quoted by cricket.com.au.

For me, it’s the right person for the job that’s the most important: Michael Clarke

While bowlers being captains is rather unusual and rarely seen in the present era, Michael Clarke has no issues with the same. The New South Wales former batsman feels that the right person performing the job is crucial, regardless of it’s a bowler or a batsman.

“Not at all. These days there’s so much cricket. Batsmen get injured. Bowlers get injured. Guys are going to be rested. For me it’s the right person for the job that’s the most important, not whether you’re a batter or bowler,” the 39-year old added.

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