Travis Head announcement delights cricket fans in huge Pat Cummins captaincy call

Travis Head (pictured right) has been announced as the vice-captain of the Test team with hints Pat Cummins could step aside in a few years. (Getty Images)

Cricket fans have erupted after Travis Head was announced as the vice-captain of the Test team in a huge decision for the future of the national side. Current captain Pat Cummins has faced his detractors in 2023, but has spearheaded Australia to winning a first World Test Championship, retaining the Ashes in the UK and winning the World Cup in India.

And a huge factor for Australia’s success this year has been the form of Head. The left-handed batter was instrumental against the red and white ball and has proven to be a leader within the squad.

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With a number of players coming towards the end of their career, including current vice-captain Steve Smith, Australian selectors have opted to push Head into the official leadership role ahead of the summer.

Head previously held the vice-captain role in 2020, but lost it after being dropped from the side. His 152 against England upon his return in the baggy green has seen him go from strength to strength ever since. And captain Cummins was full of praise for his new leadership circle.

“Whilst nothing’s imminent, Steve’s not going to play forever, I dare say I’m not going to captain forever,” Cummins said after the announcement. “So we feel like we’ve got some responsibility to future proof the team and start trying to give opportunities to other leaders.

“It doesn’t guarantee anything, but you know we’re giving him (Head) a good opportunity. So when you look through candidates for future captains of course he’s going to be right up there.

“I know in my last couple of years before I became captain being in some of those conversations as a vice-captain really helped fast track my readiness. So down the track it might be Trav, it might be someone else, but we want to make sure they’re as prepared as they can be.”

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Travis Head (pictured) has been announced as the new men’s Test team cricket vice-captain with Steve Smith. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Cummins is 30 years old and could look to handover the captaincy in a few years to focus more on his individual game. While admitting nothing is imminent, Head appears the frontrunner to become the future captain of the Test team even though he is 29. Head is a fan favourite and cricket fans were delighted after watching the resurgence of the 29-year-old South Australian.

Cummins was full of praise for Head’s ability to bring the team together and pointed to his experience playing for South Australia to why he will make a good leader. “I just think the personality that he brings to the team is something that we all love,” Cummins said.

“And I think you see it in the way he plays his cricket, there’s a certain amount of freedom to it. He takes the game on and he enjoys it. He’s always got a smile on his face. He never takes anything too seriously. He’s great at bringing the team together for team morale and putting his arm around players that need it.

Travis Head (pictured left) has enjoyed a stellar 2023 season having won the ICC Mens Cricket World Cup. (Photo by Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

“Sometimes you can mistake that for someone who’s not a deep thinker about the game. But I think tactically he’s excellent. So he’s got all the makings of a really strong leader like we’ve seen him do for South Australia for quite a few years.”

Only recently, Smith said he was taking his Test career day-by-day when asked about his future in the baggy green. While Smith and Head share the vice-captaincy role, Smith is more than four years older and will most likely retire before Cummins decides his own fate as captain.

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