Australia coach Justin Langer has backed Pat Cummins to handle the workload in his new role as captain after becoming the first fast bowler to hold the post in more than 65 years, ahead of next week’s start to the Ashes.

Cummins will lead the team into the series opener against England at the Gabba in Brisbane on Wednesday and, with former captain Steve Smith serving as deputy, the 28-year-old has enough support to be able to deal with the challenge, Langer said.

He is the first fast bowler to hold the post since Ray Lindwall was captain for a single Test, against India in Bombay, in 1956.
“England will be incredibly well prepared for us and we’ll be incredibly well prepared for England,” Langer told reporters on Saturday. “Pat will get all the golden nuggets (of data) and he’s got a lot of support around him.

“Steve Smith’s the formal vice-captain, David Warner’s got as good a cricket brain as is in the game. Alex Carey has been a captain before, he’s behind the stumps. He’s got his three best mates there, the bowlers, who will have a view on it.

“He’ll be fine strategically. It will be just maintaining the balance with his bowling load and then captaining and all the other commitments that come with that.”
Cummins replaced Tim Paine as captain after the wicketkeeper was involved in a “sexting” scandal that prompted him to resign less than three weeks before the start of the series and take an indefinite mental health break.

Langer’s team will be seeking to defend the Ashes against an England side featuring Ben Stokes, who has returned from injury and a mental health break. Cummins “has got massive upside as a leader and a captain of Australian cricket”, Langer said. “He’s an outstanding person. As we know, he’s an elite player, he’s a world class player.”