Pat Cummins endorses Steve Smith for Australian captaincy

Clarke's recurring hamstring injury has cast a shadow on his availability for the opening Test against India, which starts on December 4.

The skipper is set to be included in the squad, but will have to pass a late fitness test to play - leaving the captaincy potentially up for grabs.

And after Smith's century steered Australia to a one-day international series victory over South Africa at the MCG on Friday, Cummins said Smith is capable of leading the Test team.

"I've seen him [Smith] captain the Sydney Sixers, I think he's got a really good cricketing brain," he stated.

"He's energetic, always thinking, I think you can see on the field the way he buzzes around just shows that he wants to be involved and he's thinking about the game, so I think he definitely could be [our captain]."

Cummins went on to say that sealing an ODI series win over the Proteas represents a positive sign ahead of next year's World Cup.

"Our goal is to be number one in all formats," Cummins added.

"And I think beating a side like South Africa in conditions that aren't too [dis]similar to what they (South Africa) have, I think that's a great sign of where we are going.

"We've still got plenty of games to come before the World Cup to get a settled team and work out who's in the side."