<p>Former Australia skipper Michael Clarke is hopeful of pace spearhead Pat Cummins succeeding Tim Paine as the country's Test leader when the veteran's reign comes to an end.</p>.<p>With the 36-year-old Paine reaching the fag end of his career, a fresh captaincy discussion has started. While there have been calls to reinstate Steve Smith as skipper, Clarke believes Cummins, who was recently appointed the sole vice-captain after previously sharing the role with Travis Head, should be handed the top job when it is time.</p>.<p>"Patty's ready for it. I love that they've given him the full-time vice-captaincy," Clarke told the Australian Associated Press (AAP).</p>.<p>Smith and his deputy David Warner stepped down from their posts after they were slapped with a one-year international ban for their role in the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.</p>.<p>Since then Paine has been at the helm of the Test team while Aaron Finch has handled the limited-overs leadership.</p>.<p>"Right now I think Finchy is doing a great job, Painey is doing a great job. So, that gives Pat Cummins the opportunity to learn and watch and sit back and see how he feels about that role and experience a few different things," Clarke said.</p>.<p>"Hopefully he gets an opportunity along the way to captain in certain games, whether it be Australia A or whether it be a tour game, whatever it is, which I'm sure he will," he added.</p>.<p>The last time a speedster captained Australia was Ray Lindwall in a Test against India in 1956.</p>.<p>Clarke, who captained Australia in 47 Tests before retiring in 2015, also rejected the notion that a batsman is better suited to the role of captain than a bowler.</p>.<p>"Not at all. These days there's so much cricket. Batsmen get injured. Bowlers get injured. Guys are going to be rested," he said.</p>.<p>"For me it's the right person for the job that's the most important, not whether you're a batter or bowler," Clarke added.</p>
<p>Former Australia skipper Michael Clarke is hopeful of pace spearhead Pat Cummins succeeding Tim Paine as the country's Test leader when the veteran's reign comes to an end.</p>.<p>With the 36-year-old Paine reaching the fag end of his career, a fresh captaincy discussion has started. While there have been calls to reinstate Steve Smith as skipper, Clarke believes Cummins, who was recently appointed the sole vice-captain after previously sharing the role with Travis Head, should be handed the top job when it is time.</p>.<p>"Patty's ready for it. I love that they've given him the full-time vice-captaincy," Clarke told the Australian Associated Press (AAP).</p>.<p>Smith and his deputy David Warner stepped down from their posts after they were slapped with a one-year international ban for their role in the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.</p>.<p>Since then Paine has been at the helm of the Test team while Aaron Finch has handled the limited-overs leadership.</p>.<p>"Right now I think Finchy is doing a great job, Painey is doing a great job. So, that gives Pat Cummins the opportunity to learn and watch and sit back and see how he feels about that role and experience a few different things," Clarke said.</p>.<p>"Hopefully he gets an opportunity along the way to captain in certain games, whether it be Australia A or whether it be a tour game, whatever it is, which I'm sure he will," he added.</p>.<p>The last time a speedster captained Australia was Ray Lindwall in a Test against India in 1956.</p>.<p>Clarke, who captained Australia in 47 Tests before retiring in 2015, also rejected the notion that a batsman is better suited to the role of captain than a bowler.</p>.<p>"Not at all. These days there's so much cricket. Batsmen get injured. Bowlers get injured. Guys are going to be rested," he said.</p>.<p>"For me it's the right person for the job that's the most important, not whether you're a batter or bowler," Clarke added.</p>