Ashes: Pat Cummins named Australia Test captain to replace Tim Paine

Australia have made 28-year-old fast bowler Pat Cummins their Test captain for the Ashes series, with former skipper Steve Smith as his deputy.

Smith was sacked as captain in 2018 for his part in illegal ball-tampering.

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

"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."

The Ashes series begins on 8 December.

Cummins is only the second specialist fast bowler to lead Australia in Tests after Ray Lindwall's solitary Test in charge in India in 1956. He is the first bowler of any kind to hold the role since Richie Benaud in 1964.

He admitted there would be added scrutiny about the position after the controversial departures of his two predecessors.

"When it comes to moral character, I am my own harshest judge," he added.

"I am not perfect and there will be things that pop up, but as long as I can sleep at night, I am really comfortable with the rest of that."

The promotion of Smith marks a return to a leadership position after being banned from the sport for a year, and from any Australia leadership role for two for his part in tampering with the ball during an ill-tempered series against South Africa in 2018.