Test captain Pat Cummins is all set to take over the reins of Australia’s ODI squad as he has been named the skipper by Cricket Australia on Tuesday. The 29-year-old pacer from New South Wales will be leading the team in the first ODI against England in November. He will succeed Aaron Finch who called it quits recently.
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The 29-year-old becomes Australia’s 27th one-day captain and the first fast bowler to hold the post after impressing in his first year as test captain. “I have thoroughly enjoyed playing under Finchy and have learnt an enormous amount from his leadership,” Cummins said in a statement.
“They are significant shoes to fill although we are extremely fortunate to have a one-day squad with a huge amount of experience.”
Finch, who will lead Australia at the ongoing Twenty20 World Cup, retired from ODI cricket last month after a poor run of form with the bat. Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith and Alex Carey were other candidates promoted in the media but David Warner was not considered as the process to revoke his life ban from leadership positions has not yet been completed.
“We are very fortunate to have a number of high-quality leaders and senior players across all formats,” Cricket Australia’s Ben Oliver said. “The Board and selectors agree Pat is the ideal choice to lead the ODI team through the next period including the 2023 World Cup.”
Cummins said last week he was unlikely to play every ODI because of the number of matches Australia contest in all formats and that someone like Warner could step in when he was absent.
Warner was banned for life from leadership positions for his role in a 2018 ball-tampering scandal but Cricket Australia have set in motion a process that could see it removed.
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