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Cummins can be future captain: Clarke

Ex-skipper makes bold call about Aussie quick on eve of first Test in South Africa

Former Test skipper Michael Clarke believes tearaway paceman Pat Cummins is an Australia captain-in-waiting.

After taking a series-high 23 wickets in the summer's Ashes, Cummins heads into the first Test against South Africa – beginning tonight in Durban – as a key figure in the series. 

The 24-year-old debuted under Clarke in November 2011 in Johannesburg, which for almost five-and-a-half years was his lone Test appearance as injuries blighted his career. 

He returned in Baggy Green during Australia's tour of India last February-March as a replacement for the injured Mitchell Starc, and in a stunning reversal of fortunes, hasn't missed a Test since. 

In that time he has impressed with his pace, bounce and – crucially – his heavy workloads, while also proving so capable with the bat there has been talk of him pushing his case as an allrounder.

Coming of age for tearaway Cummins

"His debut was fantastic," Clarke told News Ltd in regards to that 2011 match, when he took seven wickets and hit the winning runs to be named player of the match in a classic Test.  

"Everything we are seeing now in regards to his talent with bat, ball and in the field we saw on debut.

"He is such a talent and someone I believe can go on and captain Australia one day.

"He's a great athlete and someone I always wanted in the XI in all formats when he was fit."

Clarke is not alone in his praise for Cummins, who is ranked 27 on the ICC Test bowling rankings but is expected to climb from that position as he adds to his 10 Tests. 

"What a star," Steve Smith told cricket.com.au of his young charge. "Just looking at the summer he had, the way he was able to go back-to-back and play all five Test matches at home, I know he's very relieved with that and happy he was able to do it.

"He's got a great set of skills. He's able to swing the ball both ways at good pace, he bowls a good bouncer. He knows what he's trying to do to get batsmen out; he sets batsmen up really well.

"On top of that, his batting – he saved us throughout the summer a few times with a few good 40s – and he's a great athlete in the field. So he's the complete package. 

"No doubt the more he plays and the more confidence he gets at the international level, he's just going to get better and better, which is incredibly exciting."

Australia has not selected a bowling skipper on a full-time basis since the days of leg-spinning allrounder Richie Benaud, who captained in 28 Tests between in 1958 and 1963. 

Qantas tour of South Africa

South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada.

Australia squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc.

Warm-up match: Australia beat South Africa A by five wickets. Report, highlights

First Test Kingsmead, Durban, March 1-5. Live coverage

Second Test St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, March 9-13. Live coverage

Third Test Newlands, Cape Town, March 22-26. Live coverage

Fourth Test Wanderers, Johannesburg, March 30-April 3. Live coverage