Australia’s pace superhead and Test vice-captain Pat Cummins has insisted that he would like to gain some experience as a leader first before putting his name forth for the captaincy of the national cricket team.
After Australia suffered a 2-1 Test defeat against India at home, there have been calls to replace Tim Paine as Test captain and Cummins is in line to be the next Australia Test captain but the world number one Test bowler said he hasn’t much leadership experience and he would like to earn that first.
As reported by ESPNCricinfo, Cummins said: “Absolutely - at the moment I have not got too much experience at all, just a couple of warm-up games in England and other than that it is Under-16s cricket when I last captained. So, for sure, it is something that is going to be more on the radar.
Even to increase my experience as vice-captain if I ever need to step in or help out Painey or Finchy, I think it is something I would like to have a crack at to find out either way, whether I enjoy it, whether I am no good at it or whether I find it manageable.”
On how his bowling can change if he becomes Australia captain, the pacer noted: “I think that would be the big one, at times, just the nature of not having to totally switch on, you take the opportunity to switch off. That would probably be the biggest change, but whether that is a deal-breaker or not, I would have to try it first I think.
Naturally, you try to stay pretty involved in a game, so always thinking about the game in the background. Just taking that extra step to be a decision-maker, it might be a small step or a big step, but keen to give it a crack and see how it goes.”
Cummins signed off by saying, “Just because someone is captain does not mean they are not allowed to lean on other resources, and something about my teams, whether it is NSW or the Aussie team, there are lots of experienced guys there who have played a lot of cricket.
Of course, you have got specialized coaches in the sheds who you spend a lot of time with, so you are certainly not out there by yourself, like all leaders you have got to delegate at certain times, give certain people certain roles. I am sure you could find a way if you have to.”
(With ANI Inputs)
