Ian Botham and the potential ‘problem’ if Pat Cummins becomes Australian Test captain

English cricket great Ian Botham says Pat Cummins faces a handful of problems as a star bowler if he is appointed Tim Paine’s successor as Australian Test captain.

Botham, one of the game’s great all-rounders, captained his country at Test level a dozen times.

Ross Stevenson asked him if he would have bowled more or less if another player was captain in those matches.

Botham said that was one of a couple of issues facing Cummins if he is given the nod as skipper.

“The thing I’d be slightly worried about if I was in the Australian camp is that you’ve got this rotation system that you use quite a bit,” he said on 3AW Breakfast.

“Would he want to play in every game? Can he play in every game? It’s much easier if you’re a batsman.

“As a bowler, it’s hard work.

“Not many bowlers have been particularly successful as captain, but maybe Pat Cummins will be the first one.”

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