Gilchrist didn't not rule out Steve Smith's return to leadership duty.
Legendary Australian wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist has backed Pat Cummins to become Australia’s next Test captain, saying the star pacer is the frontrunner for the top role.
Australia will announce a new Test captain ahead of the upcoming Ashes 2021-22, starting with the first Test against England on December 8 in Brisbane, after Tim Paine stepped down from the role over a sexting scandal last week.
Cummins and Steve Smith are seen as the top two candidates for the role of Australia’s Test captain, Gilchrist has mentioned that the pacer won the respect of his teammates as a leader, which should be taken into account for Australia’s Test captaincy.
Gilchrist told Reuters: “I think Pat Cummins is the frontrunner there. I’ve got no problems with him having the first opportunity. They should have him if he’s keen to do it - and he must be reasonably happy to take the role given he’s vice-captain.”
Ray Lindwall was the only fast-bowler who led Australia in one Test against India in the mid-1950s, since then, like other major cricket playing nations, batters or wicketkeepers were given the leadership duty in the country, though, Gilchrist doesn’t find anything wrong in appointing Cummins as the new captain.
The former Australia captain added, “I see no reason to pigeonhole Pat as a fast bowler who can’t do it. I think he’s had a huge amount of respect from everyone, really - particularly from his teammates, so I think that’s the way they will learn.”
However, Gilchrist also feels that Smith could very well take the captaincy again, but the 28-year-old Cummins is his favorite to become the next Test captain, which is often referred to as Australia’s "second-highest office in the land" after the Prime Minister.
He signed off by saying, “I just think Pat Cummins has developed into a more integral part of that team and grown in his knowledge of the game and experiences he’s had. I think it’s a case of whilst you’re away someone else has come in over the top of you, to an extent. Steve Smith could very well take the captaincy again but Pat Cummins will be the guy they lean to now.”
(With Reuters Inputs)