Australia has produced an array of wily fast bowlers, but the last specialist paceman to adorn the role of captain (albeit in a stand-in capacity) was Ray Lindwall on the 1956-57 tour of India. Pat Cummins could be the next, and former paceman Geoff Lawson would be pleased if his fellow New South Welshman is the one who replaces Tim Paine. Paine resigned as Test captain last week in the wake of the sexting scandal that has derailed Australia’s 2021-22 home Ashes build-up.

Pat Cummins with Geoff Lawson at Sydney in 2017