Healy calls for Cummins to avoid ‘captaincy burnout’ and step away from leadership in near future

Pat Cummins has been Australia’s Test captain for under 18 months, but Ian Healy doesn’t want the fast bowler to shoulder the captaincy burden for too much longer.

Cummins was appointed Test captain in November of 2021 and ODI skipper late last year as Aaron Finch’s replacement. He’s also in the box seat to captain the T20 side going forward, although Australia won’t play in the shortest format in the near future.

Alongside his status as skipper of the no.1 ranked Test side, Cummins was also – until recently – the best red ball bowler in the land.

Despite Cummins possessing a strong winning record in his stints so far as leader, Australian cricket great Healy is wary of the burden the 29-year-old continues to carry.

“I don’t want him carrying the burden of so much captaincy for too long. I want him to finish (as just a bowler),” he told SENQ’s Pat and Heals.

“The captaincy creates a burnout and four to five years is a long time as a captain. He’s done a few years (as Test captain) already, now he’s adding (short-form captaincy) to his thought processes at a time when he’s dealing with some sort of family illness back home.

“So yeah, I would like to see him finish his career as a tearaway fast bowler and someone else with the captaincy burden.”

Given his age, Cummins likely has no more than six or seven years left at the top level at most.

Australia are currently down 2-0 against India in a four-Test series under Cummins' watch where the tourists' mindset has come into question.

As it stands, Cummins is well on his way to becoming one of the all-time great Australian bowlers with a record to rival the best to play the game.

Cummins' average of 21.50 with the ball is the best of any Australian to take over 200 wickets, as is his strike rate of 47.2.

But as to who could take the reigns beyond Cummins, Healy says there’s a dearth of talent.

“I think Travis Head is quite capable. He’s led South Australia since he was a 21-year-old, he’s quite capable and has got a lot of experience,” Healy explained.

“He’s the main one that stands out to me. The likes of Glenn Maxwell might be able to do parts of it (in the short form), but as far as longer-term captaincy prospects other than Travis Head, I can’t think (of any).”

Steve Smith, 33, is Cummins’ deputy, while Head is 29.