[ad_1]
Steve Smith’s reluctance to encourage Pat Cummins, NSW 1-day skipper has publicly led some prominent media figures to suggest he envies the fast bowler and is determined to get the Test captain back.
Mark Taylor believes Cricket Australia decision Making Cummins Australia the sole vice-captain of the Test in November didn’t necessarily indicate he was a lock to ultimately take the reins from Tim Paine.
However, Cummins ‘appointment as NSW captain for the Blues’ one-day campaign gave Aussie selectors a chance to assess his abilities as a skipper. The way he faces juggling his huge bowling workload with the captain.
Black-smith Ahead of NSW’s first one-day clash of the season, against Victoria last week, was asked if there was a reason Cummins couldn’t lead Australia – and his comments sounded chilly.
“Good question. I think being a fast bowler would be difficult. But that’s not for me to really answer,” Smith told SEN.
Then, when asked if he was impressed with Cummins’ debut as captain of state after the Blues’ 59-point victory over Victoria, he was far from shining in his answer.
“It was good. Pretty easy day I think today,” Smith said.
“I don’t think there was too much to do. Not a difficult day, but it worked out well the first day.”
ABC sports presenter Kelli Underwood objected to Smith’s bland comments.
“It’s hardly an endorsement,” Underwood said.
“He is a man who wants to regain his position as captain. I don’t think he will get it.
Smith was removed from his post as national captaincy following the sandpapergate in Cape Town in March 2018, but his ban expired on March 29, 2020.
The ball-handling saga pushed Paine to the position of test captain, and while the overwhelming sight was that he was magnificent for the team’s attempt at cultural overhaul, his antics, field placements and bowling changes in the 2-1 series loss to India have been criticized by a host of cricket greats.
Smith set to take over as captain: Taylor
ABC sports commentator Alister Nicholson said Smith’s lukewarm remarks about the Cummins harbor master’s office spoke volumes about his desires.
“Cricketers are so good at playing a straight bat,” Nicholson said.
“They know how to put the right line on a tough question in general. For him to stray so far from that, I think that’s pretty telling.
“I would have liked Steve Smith not to want to regain the captain’s title. I think he’s so much better without him and without that burden on his shoulders.
“But still, he’s a professional athlete and he’s driven by the desire to be the absolute best he can be, and he wants to right it from before and be captain again. But I don’t think he is. will be.
“And Pat Cummins is the complete package. I think he would do a great job.”
Paine speaks before AB medals count
[ad_2]
