Pat Cummins Praises Ashes Opener Victory as the “Number One” in His Test Career
In what can only be described as a thrilling start to the Ashes series, Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins led his team to a remarkable victory at Edgbaston, hailing it as the pinnacle of his Test career.
Cummins played a pivotal role, remaining unbeaten on 44 as he orchestrated a commanding chase of 281, forging an unbroken ninth-wicket partnership of 55 runs with Nathan Lyon on the final day.
Fresh from guiding Australia to triumph in the World Test Championship final against India, Cummins responded emphatically when questioned about this win, stating, “Number one. Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. Start of an Ashes series. Number one.”
The victory holds particular significance for Cummins, considering the unforgettable Ashes encounter during the drawn 2019 series, where England captain Ben Stokes’s heroic unbeaten century led his side to a dramatic one-wicket victory at Headingley.
Reflecting on that match, Cummins admitted, “Yeah, I would be lying if I said it didn’t cross my mind. We were on the other side of one in the last series here.
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When you’re on the other side, it feels like one that’s got away and it really hurts.” Expressing his satisfaction, Cummins added, “It’s a really happy dressing room in there. A lot of those guys were there at Headingley, and to clinch one that was perhaps out of our grasp for a little while there is pretty satisfying.”
While England opted for an aggressive approach by declaring on the first day, Australia adhered to a more traditional red-ball strategy, even on the rain-affected final day.
Usman Khawaja’s patient knocks of 141 and 65 exemplified Australia’s method, unaffected by the chants of “boring, boring Aussies” from sections of the Edgbaston crowd.
Reflecting on the atmosphere, Cummins remarked, “The fans were pretty noisy out on the hill. Win or lose, we are pretty comfortable with how we go about it.”
Cummins, aiming to become the first Australian captain since Steve Waugh in 2001 to win an Ashes series in England, emphasized Australia’s consistent performance over the past two years, stating, “We’ve been really good for the last 20 Test matches over two years… We are at our best when we play at our own pace and tempo.”
With this resounding victory in the Ashes opener, Pat Cummins and the Australian team have set the tone for what promises to be an enthralling series against England.
The captain’s leadership and pivotal contribution have undoubtedly bolstered the team’s confidence as they strive to reclaim the Ashes on English soil.
Source: Indiatimes
Image: Instagram
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