The Ashes 2021-22: Tim Paine Has Great Experience, I Keep Learning Off Him- Pat Cummins
Newly-appointed Australian Test skipper Pat Cummins continues to share ideas with former skipper, Tim Paine, ahead of the beginning of the Ashes series. The first Test will get underway on December 8 at the Gabba in Brisbane.
Paine’s exit from the role of the captain following a scandal hasn’t affected his reputation among his teammates. Cummins revealed that he remains in touch with the 37-year-old as there is a lot to learn from him.
Pat Cummins on former Aussie captains
Pat Cummins went on to talk about the impact former Australian captains like Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh have had on him. Cummins’ first assignment as the new skipper is Australia’s biggest bilateral series against their fiercest rivals and there are a lot of expectations weighing on him.
“Steve Waugh was with us in the Ashes last time. He was great. How simple he kept things. There’s so much noise and things going on and data and things to get caught up with especially us cricket lovers, I think the way he just distilled it down and kept it really simple was great.”
Being the captain, the ultimate calls will be taken by Cummins but he asserted that he will always look towards Steve Smith for any ideas and assistance if needed on the field.
“I’ll be having the final say as captain but I’ll be looking to him for ideas at times. In terms of, at times, handing it over to Steve, I think that’ll become clear if I need to. Not saying I’ll always be doing that or I need to do that all the time but there’ll be times where it’s hot or I need a rest and I’ll have no problem handing over to him,” Cummins said.
Australia confirmed its playing XI for the first Test with Travis Head and Mitchell Starc holding on to their places.
