Former Australia cricketer Greg Chappell has shared his thoughts regarding the next Test captain of Australian cricket. Chappell has suggested that fast bowler Pat Cummins should be announced as the nation’s next leader in the longest format.
Notably, Tim Paine has resigned from the captaincy of Australia’s Test team ahead of the upcoming Ashes series. Paine was accused of sending objectionable pictures and messages to his fellow female employee. He announced his decision during a press conference in Tasmania.
Chappell observed that Cummins is ready to lead Australia in red-ball format, and he expects him to become 47th Test captain. The 73-year-old reckoned Cummins has a tremendous cricketing brain, and he expects the pacer to grow more when he becomes the captain of Australia.
“The fortunate thing is that in Pat Cummins, they have an excellent candidate, ready to go. I expect Cummins to be announced as the 47th Australian men’s Test captain. Like Paine before him, Cummins will be required to not merely lead the team but again rebuild faith in the role and Australian cricket,” wrote Chappell in his column for Sydney Morning Herald.
“Pat is extremely intelligent, an outstanding player and has an excellent cricket brain, so is ideal for the role. Besides, he is not lippy, preferring the bat and ball to do the talking. Naturally athletic, a terrific fielder with a rocket arm, I expect him to improve in leaps and bounds as a batter with the responsibility of captaincy. He is easily the world’s best No.8 batter currently but capable of batting a notch higher,” added Chappell.
Speaking about Cummins being an inexperienced captain, Chappell felt there are many senior lads in the side who would assist him in maintaining the new responsibility.
“Obviously, there is a question mark about his lack of captaincy experience, but there are enough old hands around him to help when required. For instance, David Warner has been an outstanding captain of his Twenty20 franchise in the high-pressure cauldron of the IPL, and even led them to a tournament win, so he can be depended upon to contribute constructively,” Chappell added further.
