Former Test fast bowler Geoff Lawson has dismissed concerns that captain-in-waiting Pat Cummins will need to be rested during the upcoming Ashes series, saying his appointment is a “no-brainer.”
The 28-year-old is the unbackable favourite to replace Tim Paine for the Ashes series, after Paine stood down on Friday.
While the first match is set down for December 8, Cricket Australia is yet to reveal a timetable for the announcement of a new skipper, simply confirming over the weekend that a “very thorough, and quite quick process” is underway.
Lawson, who played 46 Tests for Australia, is the most experienced fast-bowling captain in Sheffield Shield history, having led New South Wales in 36 matches between 1988-1992.
He pointed to Cummins’ remarkable durability since he returned to the Test side in 2017, during which he’s played in 33 of Australia’s 35 matches, missing only Australia’s two-Test series against Pakistan in the Middle East in October 2018.
Cummins was the only Australian fast bowler to play in all five matches of the 2019 Ashes, delivering more balls in the series than any player from either side apart from off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
It’s why Lawson isn’t concerned about the possibility of Cummins needing a rest.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,” he told Wide World of Sports.
“The first Test is so important. In so many ways, it’s win the first Test and re-assess. If he gets injured, well he gets injured. Pat’s been so resilient since he returned to the side in 2017.
“A broken finger or a busted ankle, it can happen to anyone. But Australian cricket will just have to be more flexible.
“It’s not front of mind for me, Pat’s not an injury-prone player any more. He’s been fantastic since his last back problem.”
The possibility that the fast-bowler might need a rest during a series which will see five Tests played over a 42-day stretch will make the appointment of his vice-captain even more important.
It’s hardly unprecedented in Australian cricket for the vice-captain to take charge for a short period, with Adam Gilchrist captaining Australia in six Test matches during the reigns of Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting.
Shane Watson led Australia in a Test in 2013, while former skipper Steve Smith’s initial captaincy stint came when Michael Clarke was injured.
Smith and star batter Marnus Labuschagne have been mentioned as possible deputies, but Lawson says there’s really only one option if a short-term replacement for Cummins is needed.
“Right now I don’t see Marnus as being captaincy material in any way, shape or form,” he said.
“He’s a very fine batsman, but at this stage I don’t think he’s in contention, so lets move on from that.
“But Smith as vice-captain is a good call, because if Cummins gets injured at some point at least you’ve laid the foundations for Smith to be recalled.
“It kills two birds with one stone, there’s plenty of upside in giving Smith the vice-captaincy.”
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