Pat Cummins turns 144 for the first time after being named Australia's full-time test captain
"Unexpected "and honored" were the striking words in Pat Cummins' statement after he was named Australia's 47th Test Captain before the Ashes, and he has good reason to say those words to be an honor for any cricketer, but why Cummins described his appointment as unexpected, perhaps because he became the first fast bowler in the 144-year history of Australian cricket to lead a test team as a full-time captain test match in 1877. Cummins replaced Tim Paine, who stepped down was as Test Captain and will lead the Australian team in the first Ashes Test against England from December 8th.
Ray Lindwall tossed the coin in the second Test of the 1956 India Tour, but he was only a substitute captain after regular skipper Ian Johnson and deputy Keith Miller dropped out due to injuries. Cummins also became the first bowler of any kind after legendary leg spinner Richie Benaud to captain Australia. All of Australia's last 18 captains were batter, wicketkeeper and designated all-rounder who beat in the top 7.
"I am honored to take this role ahead of a massive Ashes summer," Cummins said in a statement. "This is an unexpected privilege that I am very grateful for and very much look forward to." Cummins will have former Australian skipper Steve Smith as his deputy. The right-handed batter returned to the management group for the first time after the “Sandpapergate” in South Africa in 2018.
"I hope I can take the same lead that Tim (Paine) has given the group over the last few years. With Steve and me as captains, a number of very experienced players on the squad and some great young talent going through come to us, we are a strong team. " and close-knit group, "added Cummins.
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The # 1 bowler's first job is to ensure that the controversial events affecting Paine do not affect the team when they take the field.
Hours before Cummins' appointment, Paine announced that he would be taking a break from all forms of cricket. The wicketkeeper batter had resigned as test captain a week ago because of the public disclosure of an exchange of allegedly sexually descriptive text messages with a colleague in 2017.