Steve Smith is all set to take up the position as Australian skipper, in the absence of Pat Cummins, against India in the upcoming One Day International (ODI) series in Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. Australia confirmed that Cummins who was leading the team for a while will not return any time soon owing to personal reasons and health conditions. All eyes are set on Smith to witness his captaincy skills in claiming a win against India.
Retaining Steve Smith’s Captaincy
Australia will be led by Steve Smith in their One-Day International series against India, as announced by Cricket Australia. During the first two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, Cummins went home to be with his sick mother, who was receiving medical treatment for breast cancer, and subsequently, Cummins’s mother died suddenly a few days afterward. The Australian coach Andrew McDonald gave an official statement regarding retaining the position of Smith and sending his hearty condolences to Cummins who is still undergoing the grieving process along with his family.
Cummins Performance
Cummins was named the 47th skipper of the Australian Test cricket team upon the resignation of Tim Paine. His noticeable performances include leading Australia’s tour to Pakistan after 24 years which last took place in 1998. Cummins became the highest wicketkeeper in the first Benaud-Qadir Trophy series with an excellent 22.50 bowling average throughout three Test matches; he took 12 wickets. As Aaron Finch retired from ODI cricket, Cummins led Australia for the first time in ODIs on November 17, 2022, against England.
Pacer’s absence
Steve Smith captained the team in the absence of the pacer in the third and fourth Border-Gavaskar Tests and would continue to lead the team on the India trip on the 3-day ODI series which begins on March 17. Australia has not yet selected a replacement for Cummins and decided to retain him in the 15-squad cricket team.
Replacement of Team Members
Due to a series of injuries Australia will be without the services of pacers Josh Hazlewood and Jhye Richardson. As Richardson’s successor in the ODI team, Nathan Ellis has been selected. Both left-arm spinner Ashton Agar and opening batsman David Warner, who had gone back home with a broken arm after the second Test, will be available for the ODIs. Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh, both all-rounders, will make their long-awaited comebacks in the three 50-over matches.
Smith’s previous captaincy
Steve Smith who previously held the position of Australian captain from 2015 to 2018 had to step down due to the 2018 Ball Tampering issue following suspension and gradually gained back the position of Vice-Captain. Only Steve Smith as a captain has twice led Australia to victories in Test matches in India. Smith has captained Australia to victory in all three Tests he has led and his average score rose to 67 from 55.33. Just six Australian Test victories have been recorded in India since 1969/70, and Smith has led the team to victory in two of those contests while serving as captain.
Team Members
Australian cricket team members include captain Steve Smith, wicketkeeper Alex Carey, and players such as Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, and Adam Zampa. A varied combination of all-rounders can be witnessed in the team owing to the shortage of members and to maintain a balance in the team to have a better performance. This ODI series is crucial for Australia as India will be hosting the upcoming ODI World Cup in October-November 2024.
