Does Australia have the right captain in charge of the Test team?
While Pat Cummins has done a valiant job since taking over in 2021 with 10 wins, two draws and three losses from his 15 games in charge, Australia’s performance under Steve Smith in Indore has raised the question.
With Australia losing the first two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series under Cummins and the side’s first win coming under vice-captain Smith in the third Test, some have called for the batsman to take over on a permanent basis.
Smith himself though has declared that he’s happy with his vice role, declaring this Australian side as ‘Patty’s team’.
In response to calls for Smith to be reinstated as skipper, Gerard Whateley and veteran cricket writer Robert Craddock gave their thoughts on the situation.
Whateley: “It was probably as well as Steve Smith has ever captained.
“His body language in particular on Day 2 and how into the fight he was, it was captivating.
“What did you make of Australia’s vice-captain as he filled in at Indore to grand reviews?”
Craddock: “These in-out fields they set where they try to attack and defend at the same time … whenever India pierced the field there seemed to be someone there, that’s an absolute art form.
“His body language was good, he didn’t dwell over set batsmen.
“But I have to say, I think vice-captaincy is his place, just coming in for the occasional appearance when Cummins is out.
“It just works well, it’s so obvious to say, ‘Oh he should be full-time captain’, but I agree with him, I think it’s the best fit.”
Whateley: “I get the flinch reaction on Smith, but all of that intellect is within the team.
“Watching it live in Delhi, Smith was running the in-field, the field setups, not Cummins, they have tapped into that as captain and vice-captain.
“Maybe if this Test does anything for this (captain/vice-captain) dynamic, maybe it’s to make Smith even more forthright and confident that he can guide Cummins in whatever their setup is.”
Craddock: “When he was captain the first time, everyone says, ‘Oh, he averaged so much as a captain’, but he had many sleepless nights, the game was grinding him down.
“That’s why I reckon he’s best to get a spoonful occasionally when Cummins is out, it just works well.”
Whateley: “I agree with all of that, I thought he was better this Test match than he ever was as captain the first time around.
“I also think that’s what redemption looks like, he didn’t need to return as Australian captain, he got it, he got this moment, he’s captained three Test matches for three wins as vice.
“That was the one (in Indore), he got his chance to lead and showed how much it meant to him.”
With Cummins reportedly unlikely to return to India, it looks like Smith will lead Australia during the fourth Test in Ahmedabad which begins on Thursday (3pm AEDT).