Smith no traditional V-C says Cummins

Leadership: New Australian Test skipper Pat Cummins has said his freshly minted deputy Steve Smith could play an increased role on game day. Photo: JAMES GOURLEY/ AAP IMAGE

NEW Australian Test captain Pat Cummins will lean on vice-captain Steve Smith for advice when it comes to field settings at specific times during matches.

The 28-year-old was officially appointed to the coveted role last Friday, becoming Australia’s 47th Test skipper following Tim Paine’s recent resignation.

Cummins will lead Australia into battle in the upcoming Ashes series with Smith appointed his duty – his first leadership role since the infamous sandpaper scandal in 2018

The star quick was asked how he plans to get the balance right with bowling rotations, bringing himself on and not deferring to others.

“The final call is mine, but I’ll be leaning on a lot of the senior guys around that,” Cummins told SEN Drive.

“Around tactics, field settings and those kinds of things, I think I’ll be able to manage most of the time, but that’s in unison with Steve – the vice-captain, and some other senior players.

“I think you’ll see at times if it’s a really hot day, if I’m cooked, if I’m right in the thick of bowling and I need to lean on someone, I’ll throw it over to Steve and you might see him moving fields and having a bit more responsibility than traditional vice-captains.”

Cummins is the first Australian fast bowler since Ray Lindwall in 1957 to captain the country in Test cricket.

The first Test between Australia and England starts on 8 December at the Gabba in Brisbane.

– BY ALEX ZAIA/ SEN