01:43

Why, hello there! Remember yesterday when I said my goodbyes for 2018? Certain that Australia would roll over to have their bellies tickled in time for dinner last night? Well, I was right in a way - the top and middle order did as scripted. Then Pat Cummins showed up and here we are, some 22 hours later with no result acheived as yet.



I asked Nathan Lyon last night whether Cummins could captain Australia once Tim Paine gives it away. He didn’t engage with the question, but it got me thinking all the same. Who better? Sure, in the 817 Tests Australia has played, only one has been led by a fast bowler (Lindy filled in for one in 1957).

But the world has changed, no? We tend to ignore most of the rules of yesteryear in the modern era, or at least see them adapted. Do you seriously believe that a bloke who can keep his nerve like this after running literally a marathon (according to GPS data) in the field over days one and two would be any less capable calling the shots as well? He’s 25 and Tim Paine is 34, so time is on his side.

As I argued in a piece last night, the other contenders - let’s for the purpose of the hypothetical blanket Smith, Marsh the younger and Finch - all have hairs on them. In the case of the latter two, they are both going to be dropped next week as it is. Cummins, meanwhile, could end up a Kapil or an Imran if his batting keeps doing as it does. What did those two do? They only led World Cup winning teams.

What do you think? Drop me a line. Let’s talk about Pat the leader as he makes his way to a maiden Test ton. With the covers now off and stumps in the ground, we will be away in 15 minutes from now. You know the deal: email or tweet me your takes.