Pat Cummins has got a good wingman in Steve Smith: Matthew Hayden

Being a bowler, Pat Cummins has a lot on his plate already and on top of that, leading a team in the ODI World Cup could only put extra pressure. The cricketer himself mentioned in the past that he may not play all the matches leading to the mega tournament, as he wants to keep himself fit. In addition to that, Cummins doesn’t have enough experience of leadership in white-ball cricket. Hence, former cricketer Matthew Hayden believes that Steve Smith could come in handy in the tournament.

The 51-year-old mentioned that Smith can prove to be a perfect wingman. He added saying that the cricketer has got the character and is often visible changing field when Cummins has the ball in his hands. He is thus optimistic about Australia’s chances and stated that captaincy is one area that the Kangaroos have got it covered.

“We've always had a very settled Australian captain with vast experience when you think back to the World Cups - Allan Border's World Cup-winning effort here in India. He (had) lots of experience. It was a legacy captaincy, and you could go right down through the ages: Ricky Ponting, (and) Michael Clarke - all World Cup winners, and all (with) vast experience.

“It's got to help, there's no doubt about it. But between the other characters like Steve Smith - you've seen how visible he is when Pat's got the ball in his hand, he's flapping around as he busily does anyway. But he has got a good wingman in Steve Smith as well, again with lots of experience. So, I'm not saying it's a team captaincy, but I think it's a solution that Australia's got covered,” Hayden was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Head and Warner, I think, are your key openers: Hayden

David Warner’s future has been one of the biggest talking points in the recent past. However, as far as Hayden is concerned, Warner will retain his spot at the top of the order in the ODI World Cup and Travis Head could be his ideal pair. He also talked about Mitchell Marsh but eventually mentioned that Australia should go with a specialist.

“Head and Warner, I think, are your key openers. Marsh can do a job. But in all conditions, when you look at the role that Marsh is going to play as an allrounder, I think a specialist opening a World Cup is important,” the former cricketer stated.