Cummins is Oz Test skipper, Smith his deputy

Pat Cummins

Australia named paceman Pat Cummins as their Test captain and Steve Smith as deputy on Friday after a sexting scandal led Tim Paine to quit the post last week, just ahead of the Ashes.

Paine takes break

On a dramatic day for Australian cricket, the Cummins's appointment came hours after it was announced that former captain Paine will take a break from the sport, ruling him out of the home Ashes series against old rivals England.

Cummins becomes the 47th captain of the Australian men's Test team while Smith returns to a key leadership role, having been forced to stand down as skipper for his part in the 2018 sandpaper-gate ball tampering scandal.

Also Read: After 65 years, Pat Cummins is the first pace bowler to lead Australia in Tests

Cummins, 28, is the first fast bowler to lead Australia since 1956. Cummins is one of the world's premier bowlers. His 34 Tests have yielded 164 wickets at 21.59, to go with 111 ODI scalps and 42 in T20s. But he has little experience as a leader, despite being elevated to vice-captain in 2019.

After Paine's downfall for sending lewd text messages, Cummins knows that there will be intense scrutiny of his behaviour on and off the field, especially with the Ashes starting on December 8 in Brisbane. "When it comes to moral character, I am my own harshest judge," said Cummins, who takes on one of the highest-profile roles in Australia.

‘I am not perfect'

"I am not perfect and there will be things that pop up, but as long as I can sleep at night, I am really comfortable with the rest of that."

Also Read: Why not Pat Cummins as Australia's captain?

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