Former Australia captain and legendary wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist said on Monday that Pat Cummins should have the first shot at Test captaincy following Tim Paine’s decision to quit the coveted role over a sexting scandal.

Australia are all set to appoint a new Test captain before the Ashes, starting December 8, and Pat Cummins is being backed by former cricketers despite Australia’s reluctance to name bowlers as captains over the years. Notably, Cummins had been deputy to Paine over the last few years.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Gilchrist was a successful understudy to captains Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting, leading Australia in six of his 96 tests, including a first series win in India in 35 years during the 2004 tour.

“I think Pat Cummins is the frontrunner there. I’ve got no problems with him having first opportunity. They should have him if he’s keen to do it — and he must be reasonably happy to take the role given he’s vice-captain,” Gilchrist told Reuters.

Cummins would be only the second specialist fast bowler in the role since Ray Lindwall led in one Test against India in the mid-1950s.

“I see no reason to pigeonhole Pat as a fast bowler who can’t do it,” Gilchrist added.

“I think he’s had a huge amount of respect from everyone, really — particularly from his teammates, so I think that’s the way they will lean.”

Smith could very well take captaincy again: Gilchrist

Steve Smith, who completed a two-year suspension from leadership roles last year for his part in the 2018 Newlands ball-tampering scandal, is eligible for the captaincy and has voiced his hopes of taking it on again.

However, pundits are divided as to whether the public would be ready to embrace the batsman again for a position often referred to as Australia’s “second-highest office in the land” after the Prime Minister.

Gilchrist said 28-year-old Cummins had stepped up as a senior leader while Smith was banned from leadership.

“I just think Pat Cummins has developed into a more integral part of that team and grown in his knowledge of the game and experiences he’s had,” he added.

“I think it’s a case of whilst you’re away someone else has come in over the top of you, to an extent. Steve Smith could very well take the captaincy again but Pat Cummins will be the guy they lean to now.”