After Tim Paine stepped down as Test skipper of the Australian team, Former Australia skipper Steve Waugh stated that Pat Cummins is the front runner to lead the team in Test cricket. Tim Paine has quit Australia’s Test captaincy over the ongoing investigation by Cricket Australia in relation to a sexting scandal. Paine is being investigated over sending an explicit image of his to a co-worker along with a set of lewd messages.
“Pat Cummins is definitely the front runner to lead the side in Brisbane for the first Test. He’s the vice-captain and there is a lot of talk of him taking over Tim Paine sooner or later even without this incident. So, I think he is the logical choice. For the vice-captain, I don’t know, someone like Steve Smith might be a good vice-captain, he’s experienced.” said Steve Waugh
“I’d say Pat Cummins will take over. And the selectors would be seriously thinking about which wicket-keeper to pick for the first Test. I like Paine as a cricketer, I was a selector when I picked him. Now they will be looking into someone like an Alex Carey for the role of the wicket-keeper.”
I think it’s going to be tough for Paine as a lot of things are going against him now: Waugh
Tim Paine is also battling his physical health issues. Having undergone surgery on his neck, he has been fighting against time to get fit for the Ashes. Steve Waugh admits that it is going to be very tough for Tim Paine to overcome these obstacles set in place.
“I don’t like commenting on things I don’t know. Look, I mean Tim Paine has done a great job while he has played and even as the captain of Australia. He’s led the team beautifully and the culture really seems good within the team. I think we’re all just sort of waiting for the next piece of information. But I think it’s going to be tough for him. He’s 36 years of age, coming back from an injury. And he’s got this scandal hanging over his head now so there is a lot of things against Paine now.”
Paine took over as the Australian Test skipper after Smith got involved in the ball-tampering scandal during the Cape Town Test against South Africa. He has made himself available for selection in the Ashes despite having resigned as captain of the team. However, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis may get a call-up for the Ashes series.