Cricket Australia, as it usually does, has taken the conservative option in installing Pat Cummins as skipper of the ODI team, but they are taking a modern approach of a leadership group rather than a designated vice-captain for when the fast bowler is unavailable.
Cummins is taking over from Aaron Finch after he retired from the 50-over format following a lean trot with the bat with 12 months until the next World Cup and only 14 ODIs to be played to find a winning combination for the showpiece event in India.
He has been handed the reins although he added he was not necessarily looking to add the T20 captaincy to his growing portfolio. Finch will remain skipper for the T20 World Cup at least and he has not said whether he will continue in the shortest format after the tournament on home soil over the next month.
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Cummins said he would not be able to play all white-ball matches due to his heavy workload as a fast bowler in all three formats.
(Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Chief selector George Bailey said he was open to the idea of David Warner being among the senior players who fill in for Cummins in the 50-over format if his leadership ban is lifted by CA.
He said he welcomes the review into the code of conduct and hopes it’s done in a timely manner becasuse
“the longer that drags out it just leads to speculation”.
While he was adamant the Warner captaincy issue was a hypothetical one until it’s resolved, he praised Warner for his efforts as a senior player since returning from his ban three years ago.
“David’s leadership within the group is fantastic, titled or not, highly respected. I think it’s a credit to David that a number of people externally who are now saying it’s a no-brainer he should hold a leadership position were 18 months to two years ago some of the strongest advocates for him having a life ban.
“I think that’s a credit to David that he has worked on himself. I just can’t speak highly enough on what he brings to the group.
“We are moving away from this concept of a captain taking over and their leadership being all encompassing. It’s very much a collaboration at times. It’s one of Pat’s greatest strengths.”
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Wicketkeeper Alex Carey, Warner, if CA lifts his leadership ban, Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head or a left-field option like Josh Hazlewood are in the frame to deputise for him.
Bailey said Australia had a “campaign focus” on next year’s ODI World Cup and that Cummins was a “no-brainer” to take over from Finch.
“I think we’ve got a number of players in the group who can assume the leadership should they need to. I don’t expect Pat to play every one-day game in the lead-up to the World Cup. I’ll expect that we might see two or three guys taking the leadership for a game at some stage.”
Cummins, 29, has represented Australia in 73 ODIs, as well as 43 Tests and 46 T20s, taking 119 wickets at 28.04 with a best bowling of 5-70.
Alongside Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, he is part of arguably the strongest three-format pace bowling cartel in world cricket.
Cummins has shown fast bowlers are more than capable of being leaders despite Australia’s historic aversion to giving pacemen the captaincy.
He took over the Test team in dramatic circumstances at the start of last summer when Tim Paine resigned following a sexting scandal and led Australia to a 4-0 Ashes triumph before embarking on a 1-0 win in Pakistan and a 1-1 draw in Sri Lanka.
He will become the 27th ODI captain in the history of the Australian men’s team when they take on England in a home three-game series next month following the T20 World Cup.
“Just because you’re captain it doesn’t mean you have to play every one of these ODIs, potentially we’ve got 15 Test matches to play before the next World Cup
“I think the confidence looking around the group knowing that we’ve got lots of strong leaders there that even if I’m captain and I’m not there, I don’t have to worry about it at all.”
Bailey said Warner would be fit to play in Australia’s first match of the T20 World Cup when the Super 12 stage gets underway on Saturday night against New Zealand at the SCG after picking up a slight neck injury while fielding in Canberra last week.
All-rounder Mitchell Marsh is bowling in the nets after his recent ankle problem and is likely to be able to roll the arm over against the Black Caps if needed while Bailey confirmed former skipper Steve Smith would be the unlucky batter to miss out on a spot in the top six due to Tim David’s recent ascension into the national team.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
What would Bernie say? A lesser score resulting in a win is worth loads more than junk runs on a road in a meandering draw. And something about padding
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Roar Rookie
You'll never win an argument with blue cap haters mate.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
CA contracts and match payments make it so hard for incumbents to retire. It’s why we need more assertive selectors. A promising young keeper, like Inglis, is now 27yo. Young all rounder and important spinner, Ashton Agar is now almost 30yo. 2 to 3 more years and they are too old. We are picking players who have been great but now are just good. They are still doing well enough to hold their spot but they are no longer in our best eleven. Selectors need to be stronger.
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Roar Rookie
I'd be impressed if any of this group is still playing international cricket at any level in 2-3 years.
matth
Roar Guru
Interesting question: is Hsndscomb’s fine knock on a road worth more than Renshaw’s battling knock in challenging conditions?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Nah. Tim wasn't captain.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Hey Im hearing ya. Why risk him or add to his workload given he's nearly 30 and had many ýears with back problems? And Warner isn't the answer. Isn't he like 47? I'd be happy to see Jhye Richardson be a regular starter in ODIs. He's one of those young guns the journos like saying will be "unleashed". Because he's apparently leashed at the moment.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Which players? Tim Paine was captain at the time and he admitted to robust conversations with Langer about his intense approach. Finch also spoke to Langer and management about it ànd his time in the game is just about over. Langer had been spoken to about his intense approach as early as 2018 and again through subsequent years. The eventual outcome can't have come as a shock to him. For what little it's worth, he's a champion of the game and he will be remembered as such
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
We resent everything about Queensland from the stupid shape of your state to your foul indescribable odour. Queensland is like England just with more sun In more important news, Pete Handscomb deserves a recall with his fine effort today. And Marcus Harris. Pick on form I say.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
In one form of the game only.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
That was as 'clear as mud'. I don't get what you are saying.
matth
Roar Guru
But resentment of whom? Yourselves?
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Cummins is boss. He's done a cracking job as test skipper. And he's a bit of a handy bowler. Go Cummo.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Hey don't you dare claim to have a bigger chip on your shoulder than NSW. We have more bitterness and resentment than a hostile ex mother in law
Clear as mud
Guest
reasserting the primacy of the players and the captain especially seemed pure Australian, of the Chappelli type.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Think that's the way it'll go. Carey will be the test keeper for a while, the fact Inglis has barely played shield in the last year helps him.
matth
Roar Guru
It will be interesting to see what happens with Carey. Historically we are very reluctant to change test keepers. Inglis will surely come in for Wade in T20’s when he’s done. I could see him taking Carey in ODI’s. Carey would have to have a prolonged test slump for any change to occur, particularly as he is a leader.
matth
Roar Guru
Starc has never done it for me in England. If Boland or Neser are still there abouts I’d say they might be well suited.
matth
Roar Guru
Who do you think should be coming into the side 13th (and Don) for each format? Tests: Richardson for sure. Whiteman or Bancroft still in the mix when the current 30 something openers retire? ODI’s and T20’s. Phillipe hasn’t quite nailed the step up yet? Inglis looks to be close for a middle order slot. I think Tye’s time is over and he hasn’t ever set the word on fire when in the national side. Who else would you want to come straight in? Is Cartwright building enough of a resume? Is Hardie unfortunately going to be blocked by Green?
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Have you heard the likes of Green, Marsh, Carey and even Khawaja (who was characterised by the Test doco to clash with JL) talk about JL? There is nothing there to suggest anything other than admiration for the guy. Listen to M Marsh on the Howie games, talks glowingly about Langer. From everything I’ve heard from players, I really do genuinely believe it was a small minority lead by Cummins who took issue with Langer’s style.