Aussie Pacer Pat Cummins Is selected to lead the side for the upcoming Ashes 2021-22

Cricket Australia announced that fast bowler, Pat Cummins is appointed as captain of the Australian Test side. The team was in a worrisome situation when Tim Paine stepped down from captaincy last week following his off-field controversy.

Along with Cummins, Steve Smith is given the vice captaincy duties. Smith has led the Test side till 2018 after which he has to give up his captaincy due to the paper gate scandal. After Smith, Tim Paine was appointed as captain and he has led the side to great form in the longer format.

Pat Cummins Test Stats

Pat Cummins has played 34 Tests and taken 164 wickets. He has been a consistent pick in the playing 11 for the national team. Cummins is the 47th Australian Test captain and he will lead the side in the upcoming Ashes series which will begin on 8th December, 2021. He has been the vice captain for almost 2 years now and he has some experience of captaining the domestic team. 

Cummins Statement on Captaincy

Pat Cummins has become the first fast bowler to lead the Australian test side full-time. On his appointment as captain, Cummins said, “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.”