Pat Cummins was named as Australia’s 47th Test captain on Friday, with Steve Smith one injury away from an incredible return to the role.
Cummins was ratified by the Cricket Austrlaia Board after being put forward by the captaincy selection panel. Smith, who resigned in tears and disgrace in the wake of the sandpaper scandal, was named vice captain.
The pair were the only two players interviewed, but legend Shane Warne had urged the panel to ignore Smith and go for Marnus Labuschagne instead.
“The one positive is Pat Cummins should get the nod as Australia’s next Test captain,” Warne wrote on Friday. “It’s great to see a bowler has finally been given an opportunity.”
But Warne argued against Smith’s shift to vice captain.
“We all love Steve Smith and are proud that he’s the best Test batsmen in the world again,” wrote Warne.
“But he should not be the Australia vice-captain.
“Everyone makes mistakes, we know that and we’ve all moved on from sandpaper-gate. But that happened under Steve Smith’s captaincy, he allowed that to happen on his watch.
“I think the punishment he was given was way too severe, which I said at the time. He paid a huge price for his mistake.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
“But his second chance is getting to play for Australia again and in my opinion announcing him as vice-captain opens up CA for ridicule and criticism, and they should throw the code of conduct out the window.
“CA has to stand for something. They made those decisions at the time — which were right in the interests of Australian cricket. So why should they go back on it now?
“In so many ways, it’s time to move on, and that includes moving on from Steve Smith as an official leader.
“We need to go into the Ashes now with a clean slate, not open up old wounds by appointing Steve Smith as vice-captain.
“Just by being in the side, Steve Smith will be a valuable asset to Pat Cummins and Marnus Labuschagne, who should be the vice-captain.
“He’s a lock in the team, he has leadership ambitions, let’s see how he goes. He and Pat Cummins are surrounded by experienced players to help in such a big series.”
Cummins becomes the first fast bowler to captain Australia since Ray Lindwall did for one Test in 1956.
He had received widespread support for his candidacy – including from The Roar’s expert cricket columnist Damien Fleming.
Cummins, 28, said in a Cricket Australia statement: “I am honoured to accept this role ahead of what will be a massive Ashes summer. I hope I can provide the same leadership Tim (Paine) has given the group in the past few years.
“With Steve and I as captains, a number of very senior players in this squad and some great young talent coming through we are a strong and tightly knit group.
“This is an unexpected privilege which I am very grateful for and am very much looking forward to.”
Cummins later said his partnership with Smith “might look a bit different from the outside compared to captains of the past”, saying they would take a “real collaborative approach”.
He insisted he could handle the physical and mental workload.
“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 said.
The quick described himself as a “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.
“Mum and Dad were super excited, there were a few tears,” he added of his appointment.
“It’s a really special time. Everyone is really happy and proud.”
Smith added: “I am pleased to return to the leadership of the team and look forward to helping and assisting Pat in any way I can. Pat and I have played together for a long time, so we know our respective styles well.
“We are also great friends, as is the whole group. As a team, we want to play good, positive cricket and also really enjoy each other’s company. There are exciting times ahead as we focus on the Ashes and beyond.
“I’ve been in a position for the last few years playing as a leader. Now to have the opportunity to be standing here next to Patrick with a formal title, I feel very honoured.”
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said: “Pat is an outstanding player and leader. He has earned enormous respect from his teammates and from all corners of the game for his attitude and achievements, both on and off the field.
“We are extremely fortunate to have an experienced group of senior players who themselves are superb leaders. I have no doubt that Pat and Steve will be well supported in their respective leadership roles.”
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
A quick as captain is high risk stuff ..Its not even a question of if they breakdown with injury but rather when..That's obviously the reason for nominating Smith as a back up..A bit of insurance really , but maybe its more than that ..This certainly is a bit of a door opener for Smith..He anyway has publically expressed a desire to captain Aus again ..Those opposing him returning as captain have a point..Under his watch Aus cricket got itself into a right mess...Those who feel that he is best available choice and deserves a second chance are right too. Everybody deserves that ..I'm old enough to be Smiths father and if it were my son I would want him to be given a fair chance at redemption..To make things right ..Fines and punishments don't do that ..Actions do .. ..After all doesn't Australia present itself as a fair minded country..As a South African I would rather we faced an Australia Captained by Paine or Cummins than by Steve Smith .. thats for sure..
Lance Boil
Roar Rookie
Who is the inform keeper in the Shield at this time? Perhaps it's too close to make a call ? Yeah Nah that's not it!
Pierro
Roar Rookie
You got that write warner is a donkey . You didn't see smith in a stairwell fight or porpoetadly lamping an English player on head in a pub like warner
pikeman
Guest
Shane Warne himself has not been a shining example of probity and everything else that's gentlemanly.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I don't know. The whole show is a "we'll do this, the punters / plebs won't know" scenario.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Next we'll be hearing "but Smith wasn't aware it was course-grained rather than medium grained sandpaper". I mean, really, WTF?
Jeff
Roar Rookie
What?
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Smith's throwing of Bancroft under the bus at that post-day press conference was breathtaking. And not in a good way.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
I’d say it’s pretty clear a mix on 1&2. Was clearly in the know and chose to let it slide because he didn’t have the intestinal fortitude or leadership ability to say no to Warner.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
We all know about the history of ball tampering. The fact remains he was the captain of the side and condoned the action. Wether he knew about the medium they were using is irrelevant. The cricket ban was far too severe for sure. But please stop with this down playing of culpability as some sort of white knight standing by his players.
Paul D
Roar Guru
He’s in the squad, that is as far as we have gotten. Team gets named morning of the test mate, surely you know that
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Paragraphs...then I'll read what you wrote. It's likely to be rubbish anyway. Enough of us have given you that feedback.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
I’m fine Don maybe a little repetition from a monster work week and lack of sleep but happy to defend smith who is a first class cricketer and lay in to paines on field performances and political oversights off field . Perhaps these are fragile times during covid . Alot of state division. Tasmanians are not happy right now . WA has copped some interstate flack . The shield hasn’t been smooth . Let’s get back in to the future and galvanise the side and get behind them now . I’m currently only concerned about the selection of Harris in the side as a whole now and perhaps bowling rotations at mcg and scg which the selectors messed up last year .I think the future is bright as we have a wealth of batsman wicketkeepers who can actually make some big runs with bat . Should be a good summer .
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
No. Just wondering if you know this is a cricket discussion site...not an infantile abuse platform. Don't get why you have such a desperate need to abuse first class cricketers You've fallen a long way from your first few articles. Very fragile when folk disagree.
Aunchen
Guest
Who cares what you think Shane Warne! You were no shining example!
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Nope I think smith is a good captain with most experience on field and best choice given he was over punished for someone elses poor choice off and on field . I can forgive him for reacting poorly to the sandpaper chosen and inplimented by warner.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Then neither is the majority of the fans voting. Cummins and smith the only solutions. I've not seen your suggestions but given warner is banned , green and labs are too young or inexperienced and we haven't chosen number 5 or keeper yet youve pretty much got no other options Christos
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
So you’ve just accepted that Smith was not up to the job of being captain. But now you want him back in a leadership role… Sigh…
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
So we now have someone who has literally never captained any team he’s played in. Backed up by a guy who has proven he’s not up to the job… You’re really not making much sense Pierro.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Remind me rowdy who do you think the best leader would be in current side though given two places are not certain yet in squad ?