Perth, Oct 18 (UNI) Australia cricket chief selector George Bailey has confirmed that Steve Smith will captain the national Test side if regular skipper Pat Cummins is unavailable for the opening Ashes Test against England, scheduled to begin on November 21 here.

Cummins, recovering from stress fractures in his back, is expected to miss the first Test but aims to return for either the second Test in Brisbane (December 4-8) or the third in Adelaide (December 17-21).

“If Pat doesn’t play, Smudge (Smith) will captain. That’s business as usual for us. That formula has worked,” Bailey told an Australia daily.

He added that Cummins will remain actively involved with the team during his recovery, ensuring smooth coordination between captain and vice-captain.

Smith, who was stripped of the ca

See Full Page