Pat Cummins confirmed as the new Australian men's Test captain, replacing Tim Paine

 Pat Cummins will lead Australia in the upcoming Ashes series with England after he was named as the 47th captain of Australia's men's cricket team, replacing Tim Paine.

Key points:

Paceman Pat Cummins says it is an 'unexpected privilege' to lead Australia in the Ashes after being named captain of the men's Test team

Cummins, who has taken 164 wickets in 34 Tests for Australia, was appointed after Tim Paine's decision to step down from the role

Cricket Australia has named former skipper Steve Smith as the new vice-captain

Former skipper Steve Smith, who was banned from leadership roles for two years over the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in 2018, has been picked as Cummins's deputy. 

"I am honoured to accept this role ahead of what will be a massive Ashes summer," Cummins said in a statement.

"I hope I can provide the same leadership Tim has given the group in the past few years.

"With Steve and I as captains, a number of very senior players in this squad and some great young talent coming through, we are a strong and tightly knit group.

"This is an unexpected privilege which I am very grateful for and am very much looking forward to."

Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley said Cummins is an "outstanding player and leader".

"He has earned enormous respect from his teammates and from all corners of the game for his attitude and achievements, both on and off the field," Hockley said.

"We are extremely fortunate to have an experienced group of senior players who themselves are superb leaders. I have no doubt that Pat and Steve will be well supported in their respective leadership roles."

Smith returns to the formal leadership group of the team for the first time since 2018, and says he is looking forward "to helping and assisting Pat in any way I can".

"Pat and I have played together for a long time, so we know our respective styles well," Smith said.

"We are also great friends, as is the whole group. As a team, we want to play good, positive cricket and also really enjoy each other's company.

"They are exciting times ahead as we focus on the Ashes and beyond."

The 28-year-old Cummins is the first fast bowler to captain Australia since Ray Lindwall led the team for one Test against India in Mumbai in 1956.

Cummins has played 34 Tests for Australia since 2011, taking 164 wickets at an average of 21.59, and he was Paine's vice-captain until the Tasmanian's resignation last week.