Melbourne: Cricket Australia (CA) on Tuesday appointed Pat Cummins and Travis Head as vice-captains of the national side for their upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.
The duo has replaced Mitchell Marsh, who has been dropped from the team, and injured Josh Hazelwood.
Australian selector Trevor Hohns said that Cummins and Head are rewarded for their “professionalism and dedication”.
“The Board of Cricket Australia has endorsed the National Selection Panel’s recommendation for Travis Head and Patrick Cummins to be appointed co-vice captains for the two Test matches against Sri Lanka,” Cricket.com.au quoted Hohns, as saying.
“I’d like to congratulate Travis and Patrick on being named co-vice captains for the series, it is a fitting reward for their professionalism and dedication to drive the elite standards of the Australian men’s Test team,” he added.
Justifying the selection of both the players for the role, Hohns said that Travis had captained Australia A one-day team on their tour of India and had a reasonable amount of success with South Australia and the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League.
Cummins, on the other hand, has displayed strong leadership qualities through his actions both on and off the cricket field, Hohns continued.
“Travis is an experienced state captain who has had a reasonable amount of success with South Australia and the Adelaide Strikers in the BBL. Travis was also Captain of Australia A one-day team on their tour of India (last August-September). Travis was an impressive candidate when interviewed during the leadership identification process we conducted last year. He has also continued to develop his leadership qualities since joining the Australian men’s Test team,” Hohns said.
“Pat is a fine young man who displays strong leadership though his actions on and off the cricket field. He is also a well-respected and popular member of the dressing room, who consistently lives and demonstrates the team’s values and standards,” he added.
Australia and Sri Lanka will play their first Test from January 24 followed at the Gabba followed by the next match from February 1 at the Manuka Oval.
[source_without_link]ANI[/source_without_link]