The absence of Pat Cummins in the opening match of the Ashes series in Perth may seem like an initial fracture in the Australian team’s defensive wall of steel, however this absence of their number one bowler could potentially revive one of the game of Cricket’s most exciting storylines: that of Steve Smith, who was reluctant to take on the captaincy, but has developed himself into a master tactician. Cummins is still recovering from a back stress injury he sustained during the Caribbean tour and has yet to regain full bowling duties, and must now race against the clock to be fit for the Brisbane Test.
A Leadership Rewind — And a Test of Maturity
The terms “Smith” and “captaincy” were once synonymous with both brilliance and baggage. However, seven years post-Cape Town, the thought of him captaining again seemed anathema. Now, however, we find ourselves sitting in Perth and watching Smith slowly, almost unobtrusively, slip back into the leadership role not by virtue of politics, but due to necessity and because his teammates have faith in him.
Smith’s leadership is not about charm; it’s about clarity. When Smith leads, Australia appears more calculated and methodical at times (and at others) maddeningly so. His recent 2–0 series win in Sri Lanka was a stark reminder that Smith’s cricketing mind continues to operate at a superior level to most. The questions now are, will the Australian team adjust to Smith’s cerebral style of play after being led by the calm, aggressive nature of Cummins for the last two years?
Cummins’ Absence and the Fast-Bowling Equation
Even though Smith is a wizard at the bat, his Australian Ashes heart beat has been Cummins’ relentless effort. This 2025 injury layoff (from the West Indies to India) shows the precarious nature of the Australian bowling unit’s speed balance. With this lay-off likely being filled by the statistically most successful bowler at home, Scott Boland (who has a mind-boggling average of 12.63), the question now becomes if Boland can sustain the pressure that he did against England in Melbourne 2021 (when he took 6/7) on the extreme bounce and heat of Perth’s WACA Oval pitch. Will Boland be able to keep the same level of discipline as Cummins does? The selectors are not making a bet just on who replaces Cummins; they are also betting on whether Australia’s attack can remain the same when their top gun sits in the dugout.
Smith’s Captaincy Lens: Control Over Chaos
Smith is most effective when he can exert control — atypical field placements which seem outlandish unless they are successful; incremental changes in bowling pace or bowling pressure; and a constant mental pressure applied to opposing teams. The Australian team under Steve Smith has an “approach” (i.e., style) that appears to resemble the strategic nature of Chess as opposed to the aggressive physicality of Boxing. That may be precisely what they will need to succeed in Perth — a surface where bowling often gets lured into being overly enthusiastic by the bounce and batting often becomes boastful about their perceived abilities.
Smith will likely take a patient approach in directing his players and will allow Boland and Starc to establish the initial rhythm of the game through their fast bowling while he constructs innings through calculated risk-taking, rather than destructive batting. Despite the pre-test hype surrounding the Ashes series, this test could potentially serve as a quiet opening for a dual leadership approach between Cummins’s composure and Smith’s accuracy.
Key Takeaway:
Smith’s recall to captaincy isn’t just a stopgap; it’s Australia rediscovering its most tactical mind at the perfect time.
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