Pat Cummins has taken over Tim Paine’s spot as the skipper for the Australian Test team en route to the Ashes starting December 8th. He was named as the vice-captain of the team in five matches but was moved up to the top as Paine stepped down.

Paine has been the face of the Australian Test ever since he took over the helm in March 2018. At the age of 28, Pat steps up to the top and is set to live up to the standards that Paine has set over the last three years of action.

‘I am honoured to accept this role ahead of what will be a massive Ashes summer’, Pat said. ‘I hope I can provide the same leadership Tim (Paine) has given the group in the past few years’.

Steve Smith returned to leadership duties as soon as he was named as Pat’s deputy for the red-ball series. This is an opportunity that the star cannot pass up after his ball-tampering scandal back then.

Pat is a strong force in his games. He played for the Welsh Fire in the men’s Hundred just a few months ago and he also said that he looks forward to seeing Smith in Australia’s next set of matches aside from the Ashes.

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‘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’, Pat said. ‘This is an unexpected privilege which I am very grateful for and am very much looking forward to’.

Smith was also pleased that he would get a chance to work with Cummins in the Ashes. The star always wanted to get a chance to get back to leading the team and he is excited to deliver for the squad.

‘I am pleased to return to the leadership of the team and look forward to helping and assisting Pat in any way I can’, Smith said.

For Pat, this is the biggest honour he ever had in his career. He believes that it will be his big break which is why he needs to impress and prove that he can win for the team in the coming games.

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Words: Paul Daniel Flores

Image: PA