Ashes 2021: Pat Cummins becomes the Australian captain, Steve Smith named vice-captain

Pat Cummins has been announced as the 47th Test captain of Australia with former skipper Steve Smith appointed as his deputy on Friday, ahead of the high-voltage Ashes 2021 series, starting next month.

The 28-year-old said he was honored to accept the role. However, this marks a major departure from tradition in that he will become the first fast bowler to lead the country since Ray Lindwall in 1956. He also paid tribute to his predecessor Tim Paine. For Smith, it is a return to a leadership position for the first time. However, the batter was stripped of the captaincy following the ball-tampering scandal of 2018.

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"After an interview process with a five-person selection pane and ratification from the full board of Cricket Australia. Cummins today becomes the first fast bowler to be a full-time skipper of the Australian men's Test team. Also the first bowler of any kind to captain the team since Richie Benaud," said Cricket Australia in a statement.

"His appointment comes after Tim Paine sensationally resigned from the post last week. That's following revelations of a sexting incident from 2017, leaving Australia without a captain less than three weeks out from the first Vodafone Ashes Test against England," a statement further said.

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Pat Cummins opens up about his new role for the Ashes 2021 :

Cummins who is currently the No.1 ranked Test bowler has said he is "honored to accept the role" of the Test captain ahead of the Ashes.

"I am honored to accept this role ahead of what will be a massive Ashes summer," Cummins said in a statement. "I hope I can provide the same leadership Tim (Paine) has given the group in the past few years."

"With Steve and I as captains, a number of very senior players in this squad. And some great young talent coming through we are a strong and tightly-knit group. "This is an unexpected privilege which I am very grateful for and am very much looking forward to."

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"Pat is an outstanding player and leader," Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley said. "He has earned enormous respect from his teammates. And from all corners of the game for his attitude and achievements, both on and off the field."

Meanwhile, the first Ashes 2021 Test match between Australia and England will be contested on December 8 at The Gabba in Brisbane.