Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins on Friday appointed a new captain for test format and said he will be learning a lot from his deputy Steve Smith who has a lot of experience.
Australia newly-appointed Test captain Pat Cummins tell that he wanted Steve Smith to be named as vice-captain of the side. Pat Cummins feels that he will be learning a lot of things from his vice-captain Smith.
Pat Cummins was on Friday named a new Australian test captain after Tim Paine resigned while Steve Smith plays the role as a vice-captain in the Test. Cummins said Smith is central to how he wants Australia to function under their leadership going forward.
“I think there’s a couple of more unknowns about having a bowling captain and that’s why from the outset I was determined if I was captain to have someone like Steve as vice-captain next to me,”
ESPNcricinfo quoted Cummins as saying.
“It’s not our decision who is captain and vice-captain. I made it pretty clear that if I was given the captaincy that this is how I saw the team running and I tried to bring Steve along for that as well. He’s so central to how I see my captaincy style but [also] how I see the team functioning,”
he added.
“I’m naturally quite a calm person. I’m quite positive. I’ll be leaning on everyone. I’m a big one for empowering individuals to own their role (in the team),”
he said.
Smith, the batting mainstay said he was honored to be named Cummins Test deputy.
“I’ve been in a position for the last few years playing like a leader. Now to have the opportunity to be standing here next to Patrick with a formal title, I feel very honored,”
said Smith.
Speaking about his leadership style, Cummins said,
“I’m naturally quite a calm person. I’m quite positive. I’ll be leaning on everyone. I’m a big one for empowering individuals to own their role.”
“I very much doubt that I will rest from Test cricket. I have never rested from a game of Test cricket before, so I doubt that will start now,”
he added.
Tim Paine has taken a break from all formats of cricket to focus on his mental health. With Paine taking a break from the cricket, one of Alex Carey and Josh Inglis make a debut at the Gabba on December 8.