‘He will have to do a lot of homework' - Laxman Sivaramakrishnan on Pat Cummins’ appointment as Australia Test skipper

Australia’s ace pacer Pat Cummins has been appointed as the Test skipper ahead of the Ashes 2021-22. This decision was made after Tim Paine decided to take an indefinite break from cricket amidst the sexting scandal with a female colleague back in 2017. However, former India cricketer Laxman Sivaramakrishnan feels that Cummins will have to do a lot of homework to take up the duty.

Steve Smith has been appointed as the pacer’s deputy. He marks his return to leadership duties after he was banned from it owing to the sandpaper scandal way back in 2018. According to Sivaramakrishnan, not many bowlers get the opportunity to captain the side and also added that Smith will be of great help to Cummins in leading the team.

“You want bowlers as captains. They are a rare breed. Not too many bowlers get the honor of captaining their country. But Pat Cummins will have to do a lot of homework. He’s got a very good deputy in Steve Smith although there has been some controversy over him with what happened in South Africa Steve Smith will certainly help him,” Sivaramakrishnan told NDTV during a media interaction organized by Sony Sports Network.

We might see Pat Cummins bowling short but effective spells: Sivaramakrishnan

The Ashes is all set to commence from December 8 with the first Test scheduled to be played at the Gabba. When asked about Cummins’ workload management, the former India cricketer said that Cummins will need to bowl short but effective spells. He also reckoned that the pacer will need to plan very well in order to reap rewards for the team.

“It’s going to be summer in Australia so we might see him bowling short but effective spells, that’s the most important thing. He’s also got to keep a tab of his record against certain players. He will have to identify the batters and probably try to bring himself into the attack when they are at the crease. He has to plan very well so a lot of homework needs to be done to be able to manage his workload and also become a successful captain,” the former cricketer added.