With Pat Cummins admitting he’s unlikely to play the fourth Ashes Test, and Steve Smith no guarantee to return, there’s every chance the Aussies could have a third captain of the series at the MCG. And even if Smith does return, there’s an argument the Australians should look to give someone else some captaincy experience and plan for the future.
Speaking in his press conference after the third Test – which Australia won to seal the series victory – Cummins admitted he’s very unlikely to back-up in Melbourne in five days’ time. The skipper overcame the odds to play in Adelaide after a back issue, but admitted it might be wise for him not to play on Boxing Day.
Travis Head or Alex Carey (R) could be handed the captaincy with Pat Cummins (L) unlikely to play at the MCG. Image: AAP/Getty
Cummins even admitted he’s no certainty to play the fifth and final Test at the SCG. Smith was brilliant as captain in the first two Tests, but missed Adelaide due to vertigo issues. He appears all-but certain to return for the fourth Test, and will likely resume the captaincy if Cummins is out.
Could Travis Head or Alex Carey be handed captaincy?
But with the series already secured, could the Aussies look to hand someone else the reins and plan for the future? Smith is 36 and won’t be around forever, so it might make sense to hand Travis Head or Alex Carey the captaincy in Melbourne.
Carey is 34 and has shown his leadership qualities, and is one of the form players of the Ashes series. Head is only 31 and has been co-vice-captain with Smith for a number of years. There’s every chance the Aussies might want to give Head some captaincy experience to plan for when Smith eventually retires.
Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon are both unlikely to play the fourth Ashes Test. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Cummins is still only 32 and appears to have many more years ahead of him, but has missed a number of Tests over the years for various reasons. Once Smith retires, it’ll likely be Head who steps into the captaincy if Cummins is ever forced to miss a match down the track.
“I doubt I’ll be playing Melbourne,” Cummins said the third Test. “And then we’ll have a chat about Sydney. Certainly before the series, it was while the series was live, let’s take on the risk and have a crack at it. Now it’s done, I think we need to have a chat about it.”
Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon likely to miss fourth Test
Cummins said Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland are unlikely to miss the Boxing Day Test, with Michael Neser, Brendan Doggett and Jhye Richardson in contention to replace Cummins. The Aussies will also likely have to find a replacement for Nathan Lyon, who injured his hamstring on day five in Adelaide.
Todd Murphy, Matt Kuhnemann, Corey Rocchiccioli and Mitch Swepson are all in contention, although Beau Webster could come in if the Aussies go without a front-line spinner. If Smith is back, one of Josh Inglis or Usman Khawaja will likely go out.