Ashes 2021: Adam Gilchrist backs Pat Cummins to be new Australia captain after Tim Paine 'sexting' scandal

Pat Cummins should have first shot at Australia's Test captaincy in the wake of Tim Paine's resignation, having won the respect of his teammates as a leader, former skipper Adam Gilchrist has said. Wicketkeeper-batsman Gilchrist was a successful understudy to captains Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting, leading Australia in six of his 96 tests, including a first series win in India in 35 years during the 2004 tour.

"I think Pat Cummins is the frontrunner there. I've got no problems with him having first opportunity, they should have him if he's keen to do it and he must be reasonably happy to take the role given he's vice-captain." the 50-year-old told Reuters.

Pat Cummins says he's ready as he'll ever be to captain Australia. pic.twitter.com/SzNpgsapwi — SEN 1116 (@1116sen) November 18, 2021

Like other major cricket nations, Australia has been reluctant to appoint bowlers as captains, with most coming from the batting ranks. Cummins would be only the second specialist fast bowler in the role since Ray Lindwall led in one test against India in the mid-1950s.

"I see no reason to pigeonhole Pat as a fast bowler who can't do it, I think he's had a huge amount of respect from everyone, really particularly from his teammates, so I think that's the way they will learn." said Gilchrist.

On this day 10 years ago, an 18-year-old Pat Cummins hit the winning runs for Australia in his Test debut.

A must-read on his remarkable Test entrance and the pain that followed: https://t.co/Wi5ZsBGOYF pic.twitter.com/OyPhI7cl0P — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 20, 2021

Steve Smith, who completed a two-year suspension from leadership roles last year for his part in the 2018 Newlands ball-tampering scandal, is eligible for the captaincy and has voiced his hopes of taking it on again. However, pundits are divided as to whether the public would be ready to embrace the batsman again for a position often referred to as Australia's "second-highest office in the land" after the Prime Minister.

Gilchrist said 28-year-old Cummins had stepped up as a senior leader while Smith was banned from leadership. "I just think Pat Cummins has developed into a more integral part of that team and grown in his knowledge of the game and experiences he's had," he added.

"I think it's a case of whilst you're away someone else has come in over the top of you, to an extent. Steve Smith could very well take the captaincy again but Pat Cummins will be the guy they lean to now," he added.

Live TV