Former Australia legend Ian Healy has backed current Australia skipper Pat Cummins and stated that the speedster should step away from captaincy. Healy on SEN network’s podcast stated, “I don’t want him carrying the burden of so much captaincy for too long. I want him to finish (as just a bowler).”
“The captaincy creates a burnout and four to five years is a long time as a captain. He’s done a few years (as Test captain) already, now he’s adding (short-form captaincy) to his thought processes at a time when he’s dealing with some sort of family illness back home.
“So yeah, I would like to see him finish his career as a tearaway fast bowler and someone else with the captaincy burden.”
It has been close to 18 months since the 29-year-old has taken the role of skipper for the Australian side. In November 2021, he was assigned the duty to lead the side in the red ball format. After Aaron Finch left the post, Cummins became the ODI skipper too.
In the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Kangaroos are behind the Indian team after facing two consecutive defeats in Nagpur and Delhi Tests.
Healy suggested Travis Head’s name and said, “I think Travis Head is quite capable. He’s led South Australia since he was a 21-year-old, he’s quite capable and has got a lot of experience.”
“He’s the main one that stands out to me. The likes of Glenn Maxwell might be able to do parts of it (in the short form), but as far as longer-term captaincy prospects other than Travis Head, I can’t think (of any).”