The jury was out on Pat Cummins for an extended period of his leadership reign – but those doubts have seemingly been put to bed in 2023.
After stepping into the proverbial lion's den after Tim Paine's exitfrom the Australian lineup, Cummins has now overseen two massive successes in both the red-ball and white-ball formats.
The 30-year-old first took the side to their first World Test Championship, overcoming India in the final, before taking down their rivals again in the ODI World Cup in trying conditions.
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Cummins' only shortcomings came during The Ashes, despite the visitors drawing the series 2-2 against England earlier this year and retaining the precious urn.
While there is still plenty of room to grow, former Test spinner Kerry O'Keeffe explained the improvement shown by Cummins during his time in the role during Tuesday's Fox Cricket broadcast.
"They picked the right man," he said.
"I think the fact he is very intelligent, he knows people and he is learning tactics on the field.
"He's a much better leader than he was in June or July. His leadership of the World Cup was as good as I've ever seen.
"The only time I have seen Pat Cummins flummoxed was during Bazball with his field placements.
"I thought it was some irrational field placements, some tactics that were debatable – but I think he's learned from that. I don't think the aggression that England showed will faze him ever again.
"I think he's getting tactics more and more right, and more people are following him wholeheartedly within the side."
After losing their first two games at the World Cup, Australia went on an incredible run, before causing a major upset in the final against India in front of a packed Narendra Modi Stadium.
And through the trials and tribulations that captaining Australia can bring to the forefront, the remainder of the playing group are buying what Cummins is selling.
"They believe in that leader," Adam Gilchrist said on Fox Cricket.
"We forget, because Pat is so good at so many things, the burden and the workload that has been placed on those shoulders.
"There were some doubts at some stages – is he the right man for the job? I think Australian cricket now feels like they are off to the races … he is a winner."
Australia's clash with Pakistan at the MCG has been impacted by rain, after the visitors won the toss and elected to bowl.
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