Australian spinner Nathan Lyon has accepted Pat Cummins as the next test captain and Steve Smith as a replacement for the fastballs while dismissing himself as a potential team leader.
Cummins and Smith have held captaincy interviews, and Cummins is expected to replace Tim Paine as a result of a “sexting” scandal less than three weeks before the Ashes begin.
Lyon said he was impressed with the leadership of New South Wales teammate Cummins when he took over the state’s one-day rule last year.
“Cricket Australia are probably the two guys being interviewed for roles in my eyes,” Lyon told reporters on Thursday.
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“I think (Cummins) did a very good job (in NSW) of being honest with you.
“I know it’s kind of a cauldron of fish. But he has a lot of major players around if he gets the support to help (him).
“But then you look at Steve Smith, I think he’s there with the best batsmen in the world.
“Cricket has a lot of enthusiasm, and I don’t have the drama of both raising their hands for the captaincy.”
After 100 tries, 34-year-old Lyon is one of Australia’s top players, and after winning the match he is responsible for singing the team’s victory song “Under the Southern Cross”.
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Lyon said he preferred the status quo when asked if he intended a formal leadership.
“Honestly, if I put my hand on the captain’s side, it means I would have to deliver the band’s song,” Lyon said.
“I’d rather drive the band’s song … I’ll keep my hand down.”
Lyon need one more wicket to reach 400 in the tests, a milestone that escaped a 2-1 series loss against India last summer.
“Obviously I’ve had a decent amount of time in my head since the last test against India,” he said.
“I’m more concerned about making sure I play my part in the entire test series and the Australian cricket team and make sure we win and keep these Ashes.”
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