Pat Cummins is an exceptional pace bowler in all formats of the game and an allrounder too. Did he expect to become the captain of the Australian Cricket team in 2021? Was he being groomed? According to Jacob Polychronis from Fox Sports, Cummins has little captaincy experience, although there were clear signs he was being groomed for the role when he took charge of New South Wales for a handful of One-Day Cup games in 2020-21. Australia’s success in producing exceptional cricket captains can be attributed to several factors. How can someone who was forced to move from vice – captaincy to captaincy only due to a sudden crisis, do so extraordinarily well. Australia has won the World Test Championship (WTC) and the ODI World Cup in 2023 under his leadership. Even as I write this piece from Hyderabad, India on the morning of 26th May, we may see him lift the coveted IPL trophy tonight, although KKR are the hot favourites; but so was India in the World Cup final of 2023.
Let us explore some of the reasons for the success of most Australian captains:
Cricket is deeply entrenched in Australian sporting culture. From backyard matches to professional leagues, Australians have a strong passion for the sport. Those into sports are in a way inclined to take up leadership roles and not just remain as players of the game. The camaraderie and team spirit that is required to win when it matters or singlehandedly win matches for the team when the chips are down, is something that the world needs to learn from the Aussies.
Well, cricket is much more than just culture in India- maybe a religion. How come we do not boast of not many captains: ones who have lifted international trophies consistently. Well, the famous Australian fighting spirit and a never say die attitude, combined with grit and the high that winning titles gives, is what I attribute to their winning ways. In all of this it becomes imperative to understand the dynamics of what makes Aussie captains so successful.
Australian cricket places substantial prominence on leadership qualities. Captains are expected to lead by example, both on and off the field. The Australian cricket system identifies and nurtures potential leaders from a young age. However, in the case of Pat Cummins, even though he was literally forced into captaincy, because of the healthy culture and the learnings from his predecessor captains, he would have adapted to the job as a duck to water. Having played under Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Steve Smith and even Tim Paine, Cummins would have slowly picked up the traits of great leaders.
Cummins was awarded with the Allan Border Medal in recognition of being the best performing Australian cricketer of the year and was also nominated ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year in 2019. Captains are often chosen based on their performance as players. A captain’s credibility is closely tied to their individual skills. Australia being blessed with amazing cricketers since time immemorial, would have acted in favour of the Australian captains. However, almost all captains who led Australia have been pronounced performers over their careers. Cummins is a mighty talented cricketer and his game has not suffered despite the pressures associated with his role.
Australian cricket has a reputation for pliability and mental toughness. Captains need to handle pressure, make strategic decisions, and motivate their team during challenging situations. This mental resilience is crucial for success. One does not see Pat Cummins easily flustered. The environment and ambience in his home country and its reaction to victories may offer us a clue to the continual success of its leaders. While Cummins recently admitted that though the Aussies didn’t take to the streets – something which would’ve likely happened in India had Rohit Sharma’s men lifted the trophy ( 2023 Cricket World Cup)– the players were greeted enthusiastically by their fellow countrymen wherever they went.
In the words of Cummins, talking about the reception in an interview with SportsTak., “That’s Australia for you. It’s great, it’s peaceful!”, sums up the way the nation trets sports and sportspersons.
Australian captains prioritize team harmony. They build strong bonds among players, fostering a sense of camaraderie. A unified team performs better, and captains play a crucial role in maintaining this unity. Amid the ups and downs of cricket, these bonds make a great team. Australian leaders emphasize on team accomplishments over individual ones- a stark contrast from what happens in the sub-continent. It also means that Australia doesn’t hero worship its sportspersons. Thereby, they may be under less pressure compared to their counterparts from India. It also means no prejudice and easier decision making when the board wishes to take action on a player.
Australian cricket encourages modernization. Captains who adjust to changing conditions, employ creative strategies, and think outside the box, thrive. This adaptability contributes to their success. When an entire nation was after India winning the 2023 World Cup and with hardly any support at the stadium, how does any team win so convincingly and comfortably. It must be a lot of strategy, brainstorming, consistent study of opponent’s strengths and weaknesses that won them this world cup.
In summary, Australia’s cricketing legacy, grooming of leaders, support to excel over a long term and a pool of talented players contribute to the country’s ability to produce outstanding cricket captains. Patrick James Cummins is one such leader whose name will be etched in the portals of time for his astute leadership qualities.
References
• Chappell, I. (n.d.). Australia’s system produces good captains, but can’t say the same for England. ESPN Australia.
• Jain, S. (2017). 5 best Australian captains of all time. Sportskeeda. Available at: 5 best Australian captains of all time (sportskeeda.com)
• List of Australia national cricket captains (2024). Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Australia_national_cricket_captains
• Paine, T., Cummins, P., & Smith, S. (2021). Ashes 2021: Tim Paine out, Pat Cummins in as captain, Steve Smith vice-captain. Fox Sports Australia.
• Shah, P. (2024). How should an Australian captain act: Pat Cummins reveals how the feeling of becoming the Australia captain sunk in. Sporting News India. Available at: ‘How should an Australian captain act’ – Pat Cummins reveals how the feeling of becoming the Australia captain sunk in | Sporting News Australia