Cummins can be a marvel as our Test captain
LESS than a month into his new job it’s evident Pat Cummins is set to become one of the most powerful captains in Australian Test history.
As a fast bowling captain his job won’t be easy because even in the midst of Australia’s landslide first Test win in Brisbane there was a highly stressful day three when England batted its way back into the contest.
But Cummins, within reason, will get what he wants as Australia captain for a variety of reasons, not the least being he is well liked by both sides of the fence – players and Cricket Australia.
But it’s more than that. With most captains there is an area of concession, compromise or conflict in their dealings with CA.
Tim Paine did a fine job as Test captain but he had no designs on the job, was plucked out of necessity and was basically a bridge between eras.
Michael Clarke was a fine tactician but his relationship with CA became extremely strained.
On the day the late Phil Hughes was struck and later died at the SCG, journalists had been working on a story that Clarke’s relationship with CA had reached breaking point and he was in danger of being axed but the story vanished due to the heartbreak over Hughes.
Cummins’ power is accentuated because he is his side’s best player and also because Australia needs him more than he needs it in many different ways.
An early sign of his power was that he asked for and was given Steve Smith as vicecaptain despite the fact several CA board members had reservations about the appointment.
The shallowness of the leadership pool enhances Cummins’ power. There is daylight between him and the next viable option.
CA officials, while agreeing to appoint Smith vicecaptain, are not looking forward to the day Cummins
Cummins’ power is accentuated because he is his side’s best player
misses a Test and they announce Smith as captain and cop 1000 angry emails over ball tampering.
The balance of power between Australia and its cricketers changed with the birth of the Indian Premier League 13 years ago.
While Cummins is Australia’s No. 1 contracted player on north of $2m, his last IPL deal was $3.17m to play for the Kolkata Knight Riders, dwarfing his national contract for what amounts to a quarter of the work. With money comes options, power and independence.
Former CA high performance boss Pat Howard was the first official to say “we don’t own them any more’’ in reference to the rise of a rival employer that meant some players, had they wanted to, could have retired and be financially sustained for life playing just a sprinkling of games for Australia. For all of the pre-IPL player power big name captains such as the Chappells, Bradman, Border and Benaud held, the one inescapable fact was they had no alternative route to cricketing wealth and fame than playing for Australia.
No matter how justified any grievance any of them might have had against Cricket Australia the bottom line was the board was always likely to win the argument.
Not even Bradman won every argument with his board.
Also, significantly, there was no players union in the old days which meant the board would often use its collective might to stand firm and break down any resistance involving small pockets of players. Cummins’ early style as a captain is a laid-back one of occasional smiles and stress relief.
It’s not a bad way to start. With the power Cummins has he had the chance to paint the canvas in his own way. Great challenges and opportunities await him.