Gilchrist backs Cummins as leader

FORMER Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist believes Pat Cummins would be the perfect successor to Tim Paine as Test captain.

With Paine’s neck surgery leaving him at risk of missing part of the Ashes series on home soil, it could open the door for someone to stake their claim as the national team’s next captain.

Gilchrist, who was a regular vice-captain for the Australian Test and ODI teams, felt Cummins was in a league of his own in comparison to his Test peers.

“Pat Cummins is literally the type of leader that Australian cricket admires, and the players acknowledge and respect,” Gilchrist told SEN.

“I think he is the leader by way of being at the top of the pack to assume that position.

“Be it the first Test at the Gabba, the first Test of the next summer or whenever the next Test cricket is after this summer, whenever Tim Paine does finish up.

“It is inevitably getting closer, the changing of the guard at the top, … and I think Pat is the gentleman that’s positioned highest in readiness … to take over.”