Cricket legend Wasim Akram lauds Aussie skipper Pat Cummins’ leadership during Ashes series

One of cricket’s greatest-ever bowlers has lauded the ‘phenomenal’ Pat Cummins, saying the Aussie skipper is proof that ‘bowlers can be better captains’ for one crucial reason.

Wasim Akram, who captained Pakistan for 25 matches during his exceptional 104-Test career, has grown tired of the constant criticism of Pat Cummins and his captaincy.

Right from the start of Cummins’ time as skipper has his captaincy been questioned, firstly beginning with the notion that he could not be successful because he is a fast bowler.

And, particularly in Australia, cricket figures have traditionally believed only specialist batsmen make good Test captains.

All-rounders and wicketkeepers? Not bad, but too much going on to add in captaincy as well. But fast bowlers? Forget it. 

The Pakistani says Cummins, pictured with wife Becky and son Albie, is hugely popular and respected by his teammates

In the history of Test cricket, going back almost 150 years, there hasn’t exactly been a long line of fast bowlers who have had sustained success of captains.

Akram himself and fellow greats Imran Khan and Waqar Younis led very impressive Pakistan sides, while Indian legend Kapil Dev got even better when the captaincy was thrust upon him. South African Shaun Pollock, English seamer Bob Willis and lanky West Indians Jason Holder and Courtney Walsh were also highly-respected leaders.

But still, the criticism of Cummins remains. Can’t do both. Is focusing too much on climate activism. He’s too nice. He didn’t call back Jonny Bairstow. His fields are either too reactionary or too pre-planned.

Wasim Akram believes fast bowlers make even better captains than batters – because they understand how to manage bowlers

Cummins celebrates after his astonishing innings led Australia to win the first Test at Edgbaston

But Akram rubbished the critics of the heroic skipper whose blade led Australia to a stunning win in the first Ashes Test, showing enormous leadership and resilience to chase down the English total with Nathan Lyon.

‘Pat Cummins has proved that wrong … that particular concept that bowlers cannot be good captains,’ Akram told the Herald Sun. 

‘I think Pat is doing a phenomenal job. I worked with him about six or seven years ago in the IPL for a couple of years. 

‘He is a great leader on and off the field, a humble human and is liked by the team. He is one of those guys who always has a smile on his face and he has the positivity which he is passing on to the team as a leader.’

Not only does Akram think the critics of Cummins have got it desperately wrong, he completely dismisses the notion that specialist fast bowlers cannot be Test captains.

One point is perfectly clear from the outside.

Cummins is one of the most widely liked and respected captains with his teammates than the Australian side have seen for many year.

Cummins, pictured with close mate Mitch Marsh (left), is often seen with a wide smile on the cricket field, as are many of his adoring teammates

The Aussie skipper plays with son Albie after winning the second Test at Lords

And not only does Akram back Cummins to silence the critics, he thinks bowlers like the Aussie superstar are better options than specialist batters for one crucial reason: they understand bowlers and how to manage them better than anyone. 

‘I reckon bowlers can be better captains because they know how to handle their bowlers,’ said Akram.

‘A batting captain might give you an extra over for your spell and you might be gone for the whole day but as a bowler I might know this bowler is good enough to bowl two four over spells not a spell of six overs.’

Of course Cummins now faces one of the greatest tests of his captaincy career.

Cummins, pictured talking tactics with Marnus Labuschagne (centre) and Steve Smith (left), faces the biggest test of his captaincy career on the final day of the third Test, which could secure the Ashes

After the Aussie batters imploded following a rain-married day four, England resume at 0-27 in pursuit of 251 on the final day.

And while the home side might be in the box seat at Headingly, it’s safe to say we have discovered that absolutely anything can happen in this series.

Without the trusty Lyon to rely on, how does Cummins use whiz-kid Todd Murphy? And will he put the sweepers straight back on the fence on what is a lightning-fast outfield, or will he keep the field up to attack the Bazball mindset?

Short balls? Top of off?

His bowling and leadership will need to be exemplary if Australia are to win (or draw) and retain the urn. 

And Akram, an astute a mind as there is in the game, certainly believes he can do it.

Because he is a fast bowler, after all.