Pat Cummins has got a good cricket brain, will make for an unbelievable captain: James Pattinson

Former pacer James Pattinson feels Pat Cummins has all the cricketing attributes to become Australia’s Test captain and if he is given the opportunity to lead the side, the fast bowler would make for an “unbelievable” leader.

Australia are all set to appoint a new Test captain before the Ashes, starting December 8, and Pat Cummins is being backed by former cricketers despite Australia’s reluctance to name bowlers as captains over the years. Notably, Cummins had been deputy to Paine over the last few years.

“He’d (Cummins) be unbelievable. He’s got everything, got all the attributes of an Australian captain,” Pattinson was quoted as saying by news.com.au on Tuesday evening after the conclusion of a Sheffield Shield match.

“He’s a calm head that’s exactly what I think we need. He’s got everything. He’s got the attributes of an Australian captain. He’s got a calm head, he’s very smart and he’s got a good cricket brain. He’s got a lot of friends in that group. He’s just a great person,” added Pattinson.

Pattinson said that while Australia had not been captained by a fast bowler in 65 years of Test cricket, Cummins is the only one who has really been a dominant force for the Kangaroos in the last two years and has the credentials to lead the side.

“I know it’s probably gone against the grain to have a fast bowler, but he’s the one guy who probably over the last two years has really dominated for Australia. Just the way he plays with passion and him as a person is someone you want as a leader as a group. He brings a team with him as well. You go out there with him and he sets the example he brings people with him.”

If chosen to lead Australia, Cummins will become the first pace bowler since Ray Lindwall, who captained for one Test in 1956, to be appointed skipper of the men’s team.