Ashes 2021: Who will replace Tim Paine as the Aussie captain

Australian skipper Tim Paine resigns to captain Australia in the upcoming Ashes 2021 series after he involves in a sexting case. However, the news said that the skipper has sent an explicit picture and texts to a female Cricket Tasmania employee in 2017.

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Meanwhile, Tim Paine will be unavailable for selection in the upcoming Ashes 2021 series. As of now, Vice-captain Pat Cummins is ahead as a captain for Australia in the series. However, in this article SportzPoint will give you the 4 probable captains of Australia for the Ashes 2021 in the absence of Tim Paine.

#1. Pat Cummins

Arguably the top contender gave he is the current vice-captain, Pat Cummins could find himself skippering an Ashes 2021 series. He would become the first fast bowler to assume the full-time captaincy of the Australian Test side. Meanwhile, he will be the first bowler since spinner Richie Benaud in 1964.

Cummins has been the vice-captain of Australia for two years. Moreover, he is aware of the circumstances of playing important matches. Tim Paine also gives hint that Pat might be the captain for the Aussies side in the coming Ashes 2021 series.

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#2. Steve Smith

The current greatest batsman of the format Steve Smith is another strong contender for the job. The 32-year old has gained so much experience in the format as he will be a good captain for the side. Cricket Australia will surely consider him as one of the contenders for the job.

He became eligible for the captaincy after being handed a two-year ban from any possible leadership roles back in March 2018. Meanwhile, he is currently Aussies highest-ranked batsman. He would look to lead by example and potentially relish the chance to prove he has turned a corner.

#3. Marnus Labuschagne

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Another batting giant of Australia, Marnus Labuschagne is also a contender for captaining Australia in the upcoming Ashes 2021 series. Back in June 2017, Labuschagne was backed by Paine to be the future leader for the side. As he is young he can be the permanent captain for Australia in this format.

Labuschagne is currently No 4 in the ICC'S Test batting rankings. Meanwhile, he is just one place below Smith, and as a guaranteed starter for the Ashes 2021. He could prove to be a left-field option if Cricket Australia fancy springing a surprise.

#4. Travis Head

The regular player of the Aussies test side, Travis Head also will be a good pick for the job of captaincy in the Ashes 2021 series. Meanwhile, he has already had the experience of the job of vice-captain of the side. If Pat becomes the captain for the Ashes 2021, then it will be Travis Head as vice-captain for the Aussies side.

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"Obviously Pat's been well spoken about, named as vice-captain. It's hard to go past him or give him the opportunity to, he's someone who oozes leadership, not only in the way he presents himself and speaks and the way he goes about things and the way he trains but also when he's on the field," Head said.