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Australian batting legend Matthew Hayden, highlighted the importance of Steve Smith's presence as a formidable asset for the Australian team, especially for the relatively new captain, Pat Cummins. The Australian squad is riding high on confidence after a commendable 2-1 series win against India in 2023. Interestingly, this triumphant series had Steve Smith leading the Australian brigade to a stellar win on foreign soil, with Cummins not participating.
In an interaction with ESPNcricinfo, Hayden delved deep into the dynamics of leadership and the role of experience. He stressed that having someone like Smith, with his vast expertise, will undeniably bolster Cummins' confidence, especially since the latter is gearing up to lead in an ODI World Cup for the first time.
Hayden explained, "It's got to help, there's no doubt about it. But between the other characters like Steve Smith - you've seen how visible he is when Pat's got the ball in his hand, he's flapping around as he busily does anyway. But he has got a good wingman in Steve Smith as well, again with lots of experience. So, I'm not saying it's a team captaincy, but I think it's a solution that Australia's got covered."
Australia's journey to the ODI World Cup seems well-charted. They are set to lock horns with South Africa in an upcoming white-ball series, followed by a three-match ODI series against India in September, culminating right before the onset of the World Cup.
With memories of 2015, where Australia lifted the trophy, and the 2019 tournament, where they were stopped by the eventual champions England in the semi-finals, Australia's aspirations are soaring high. Discussing these dynamics, Hayden emphasized Cummins' relatively greenhorn stature as captain, especially when contrasted with past Australian leaders.
Hayden reminisced during an event in Mumbai, "We've always had a very settled Australian captain with vast experience when you think back to the World Cups - Allan Border's World Cup-winning effort here in India [in 1987], [had] lots of experience. It was a legacy captaincy, and you could go right down through the ages: Ricky Ponting, [and] Michael Clarke - all World Cup winners, and all [with] vast experience."
Australia's provisional squad for ODI World Cup squad: Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa
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