Travis Head is Australia’s new Test vice-captain and next in line to be skipper

The Australian Test team has a new vice-captain and Pat Cummins made it clear what that means for future leadership.

Pat Cummins has endorsed World Cup hero Travis Head as a likely successor as Test captain after he was elevated to vice-captain along with veteran Steve Smith to “fast-track” his readiness to one day take over.

Fresh off his player-of-the match performance in the World Cup final, and the World Test Championship final, Head’s senior position within the Australian team has been made “a little bit more formal” ahead of the opening clash with Pakistan in Perth.

While he was quick to point out there were no “imminent” changes looming to his position as captain, Cummins said it was the responsibility of the current leadership group to “future proof the team” and Head’s appointment was an important part of that with Smith’s long-term future unclear.

“Really excited to have Trav on board vas a co vice-captain,” Cummins said on Wednesday.

“While nothing is imminent, Steve (Smith) is not going to play forever, I dare say I’m not going to captain forever, so we feel like we have a responsibility to future proof the team and start trying to give opportunity to other leaders.

Travis Head and Mitch Marsh during an Australian nets session at Optus Stadium. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

“It doesn’t guarantee anything, but we are giving (Head) a good opportunity.

“When you look at candidates for future captains, you know he’s going to be right up there.

“In my last few years before becoming captain, being in some of those conversations as a vice-captain really helped fast-track my readiness.

“So it might be Trav, it might be someone else, but we want to make sure they are as prepared as they can be.”

Cummins lauded the capacity for Head to be himself in the Test team, and said his qualities as a batter, a teammate and a captain, having taken over as South Australian Sheffield Shield skipper when he was only 21, made him an ideal candidate to be the next Australian captain.

“The personality he brings to the team is something we all love, and you can see that in the way we plays. There’s a certain among of freedom to i,” Cummins said.

“He takes the game on, he enjoys it, he’s always got a smile on his face, he’s great at bringing the team together, putting his arm around anyone who needs it.

Travis Head could be Australia’s next Test captain (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images for Cricket Australia)

“Sometimes you can mistake that for someone who is not a deep thinker about the game but I think tactically he’s excellent.

“He’s got all the makings of a really strong leader like we’ve seen him do for South Australia and we’re just making it a little bit more formal around the Aussie team.”

Cummins confirmed the expected line-up for the Australians to face Pakistan, with spinner Nathan Lyon coming back to replace Todd Murphy as the only change from the last match, the fifth Test against England at The Oval in August.