Australia vs Pakistan, first Test: Travis Head appointed co-vice-captain alongside Steve Smith

Travis Head has been appointed Pat Cummins’ new joint vice-captain in a move which could shape Australia’s future leadership.

Cricket Australia has given its strongest indication yet that Travis Head looms as the nation’s next men’s Test skipper with the South Australian elevated to the role of joint vice-captain.

CA announced on Wednesday - the eve of the home Test summer - that the aggressive left-hander would return to the role of deputy, a position he held for periods in 2019 and 2020.

Head, who was anointed as an Aussie leader of the future when made Redbacks captain in his early 20s, joins Steve Smith as co-vice-captains behind Pat Cummins.

Smith will continue to assume the captaincy should Cummins be off the field. However as Cummins noted, Smith is 34 and has not been willing to declare long-term goals.

It leaves Head, who turns 30 later this month and is seven months younger than Cummins, as the paceman’s most likely successor.

“I am really excited to have Travis on board as a co-vice captain. He’s been playing for a long time. He’s always been a leader in that group,” Cummins said in Perth on Wednesday on the eve of the first Test against Pakistan.

Travis Head has been elevated to the vice-captaincy. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

“So we thought it was time to formally recognise that whilst you know nothing is imminent, Steve’s not going to play forever. I dare say I am not going to captain forever so we feel like we have got some responsibility to future-proof the team and start trying to give opportunities to other leaders.

“It doesn’t guarantee (that Head will be a future captain) but we’re giving him a good opportunity. So when you look for future captains he’s going to be right up there.

“And I know in my last couple of years as vice-captain being in those leadership conversations really fast-tracked my readiness.’’

Head’s appointment follows a stellar on-field year in which he was player of the match in the World Test Championship final, World Cup semi-final and final.

It is a remarkable rise for a player who missed out on a CA contract in 2021 and was dropped for the first Test in India as recently as February.

Cummins lauded Head for what he brought to the team.

“Just the personality he brings to the team is something that we all love and enjoy the way he plays his cricket. There is a certain amount of freedom to it. He takes the game on, has always got a smile on his face,” Cummins said.

CA has sought to diversify its men’s team’s leadership in recent seasons in a bid to avoid being overly reliant on a particular individual given the immense workload of the modern cricketer, covering three formats as well as franchise commitments.

While David Warner’s lifetime captaincy ban stemming from the ball-tampering saga remains, Matthew Wade and Mitch Marsh have both captained Aussie white-ball teams in recent months, while Josh Hazlewood and Alex Carey have also had opportunities over the last few years.

Cummins took over from Aaron Finch late last year to lead the Australian one-day team to the World Cup, although it is unclear how much the quick will continue to lead across the shorter formats in the coming years.

Originally published as Australia vs Pakistan, first Test: Travis Head appointed co-vice-captain alongside Steve Smith