Ricky Ponting, a two-time ODI World Cup champion and former captain of Australia, thinks that after opener Aaron Finch retires, Test captain Pat Cummins should lead the team in the 50-over format.
During Australia's recent home series against New Zealand, which the hosts won 3-0, Finch, the current T20I captain, announced his retirement from ODIs.
Ponting believes that Cummins, 29, will be the best choice for the leadership post with less than a year until the start of the 2023 Men's ODI World Cup in India, even though it would result in an increase in his workload in international cricket.
"To be honest, I believe Pat Cummins will win. I am aware that he doesn't play in every ODI match for obvious reasons since, like many fast bowlers in recent years, his workload in Test cricket has been extremely high."
"I'm aware that they take great care to ensure that Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc are fully fit and well in time for the major Test series. But look, I'd be shocked if Pat Cummins wasn't the culprit "Ponting stated during The ICC Review programme.
Ponting also stated that Australia should take into account Steve Smith and David Warner for any upcoming leadership roles in the white-ball side, which has been in place since the ball-tampering ban in 2018 at South Africa, citing Smith's current Test vice-captaincy status.
"I'm just going off of what occurred with Steve Smith because he was the captain and really at the centre of the whole controversy in Cape Town, and he is now the Test vice-captain again. Since he is now the Test vice-captain, it goes without saying that Steve Smith will lead Australia once more in Test matches if Pat Cummins ever misses one."
"If that is the case, and everything is fair and reasonable, I believe it would be acceptable for David Warner to have his name used (in the ring). He shouldn't have to be the captain, but he should be able to participate in the discussion."