One of cricket’s greatest ever bowlers has praised the ‘phenomenal’ Pat Cummins, saying the Aussie skipper is proof that ‘bowlers can be better captains’ for one crucial reason.
Wasim Akram, who captained Pakistan for 25 matches during his exceptional 104-Test career, has grown weary of constant criticism of Pat Cummins and his captain.
Right from the start of Cummins’ time as skipper, his captaincy has been questioned, primarily on the grounds that he could not be successful because he is a fast bowler.
And, especially in Australia, cricket figures have traditionally believed that only specialist batsmen make good test captains.
Allrounders and wicketkeepers? Not bad, but too much going on to add captaincy as well. But fast bowlers? Never mind.
Pat Cummins’ captaincy was ‘phenomenal’ according to cricket great Wasim Akram
The Pakistani says Cummins, pictured with wife Becky and son Albie, is hugely popular and respected by his teammates
In the history of Test cricket, stretching back nearly 150 years, there hasn’t exactly been a long line of fast bowlers who have had sustained success from captains.
Akram himself and fellow greats Imran Khan and Waqar Younis led very impressive Pakistani sides, while Indian legend Kapil Dev got even better when the captaincy was thrust upon him. South African Shaun Pollock, English sailor Bob Willis and lanky West Indians Jason Holder and Courtney Walsh were also highly respected leaders.
Yet the criticism of Cummins remains. Can’t do both. Focuses too much on climate activism. He’s too nice. He didn’t call Jonny Bairstow back. His fields are either too reactionary or too preplanned.
Wasim Akram believes fast bowlers are even better captains than batters – because they understand how to manage bowlers
Cummins celebrates after his amazing innings led Australia to win the First Test at Edgbaston
But Akram fell to the critics of the heroic skipper whose blade led Australia to a stunning win in the first Ashes Test, showing tremendous leadership and resilience to team up with Nathan Lyon to chase the England total.
“Pat Cummins has proven it wrong… that particular concept that bowlers can’t be good captains,” Akram told the Announce sun.
“I think Pat does a phenomenal job. I worked with him in the IPL for a few years about six or seven years ago.
“He is a great leader on and off the field, a humble person and loved by the team. He’s one of those guys who always has a smile on his face and he has the positivity that he brings to the team as a leader.”
Not only does Akram think that Cummins’ critics are dead wrong, he completely rejects the idea that specialist fast bowlers cannot be Test captains.
One point is perfectly clear from the outside.
Cummins is one of the most loved and respected captains with his teammates than the Australian side has seen for many years.
Cummins, pictured with close friend Mitch Marsh (left), is often seen on the cricket pitch with a wide smile, as are many of his adoring teammates
The Aussie skipper plays with son Albie after winning the second Test at Lords
And not only does Akram support Cummins to silence the critics, he thinks bowlers like the Aussie superstar are better options than specialist hitters for one crucial reason: they understand bowlers and know how to manage them better than anyone else .
“I think bowlers can be better captains because they know how to handle their bowlers,” Akram said.
“A batting captain might give you an extra over for your spell and you might be gone all day, but as a bowler I might know this bowler is good enough to bowl two four over spells and not a six overs spell .’
Of course, Cummins now faces one of the biggest trials of his captaincy career.
Cummins, picture-talking tactics with Marnus Labuschagne (centre) and Steve Smith (left), faces the biggest test of his captaincy career on the final day of the third Test, which could secure the Ashes
After the Aussie batsmen imploded after a rainy day four, England resumed at 0-27 in the chase of 251 on the final day.
And while the home side may be in the box at Headingly, it’s safe to say that we’ve found that absolutely anything can happen in this series.
How does Cummins use whiz kid Todd Murphy without the reliable Lyon to rely on? And will he put the sweepers right back on the fence on what is a lightning fast outfield, or will he hold the field high to attack the Bazball mentality?
Short balls? Completely finished?
His bowling and leadership will have to be exemplary if Australia is to win (or draw) and keep the urn.
And Akram, an astute mind as there is in the game, certainly believes he can.
Because, after all, he’s a fast bowler.