Pat Cummins plays down Australia’s game-time fears
New Australia Test captain Pat Cummins is confident his side would be ready to face England “in the next few days” if they had to.
With the first Ashes Test starting on 8 December at the Gabba in Brisbane, there have been some concerns that the hosts will come into the series underdone and short of red-ball game-time.
Cummins and new vice-captain Steve Smith has not played a first-class match since February, while Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, David Warner have also gone for more than six months without a first-class game.
This is largely due to the pandemic as well as the short time between the IPL, T20 World Cup and now the Ashes.
However, speaking after his first training session as captain from their base on the Gold Coast, Cummins allayed some of those fears.
“Today was a really good hitout,” Cummins said after Saturday’s session.
We’d be ready to go, Cummins urges
“We were able to simulate match intensity really well. We had a big bowl, us bowlers, two big spells.
“If the Test match was in the next couple of days, we’d be ready to go.”
After being unveiled as Australia’s new skipper on Friday, Cummins said he was grateful for the support he has received after he was chosen to take over the mantle following Tim Paine’s resignation.
“My phone’s been a bit busy in the last day,” Cummins continued.
“You forget how many people have your phone number! I’ve gotten hundreds of messages, all really nice.
“It’s a great way to start. I’ve got a lot of support behind me.
“The squad in quarantine, there’s about 20 of us, have been great for Steve [Smith] and I, too.”
Cummins also feels the gravity of his appointment will only completely sink in when the home crowd cheers them on against their old rivals.
“I think when I walk out at the Gabba and see a big home crowd, pull on the Baggy Green and go out for the toss, I think that’s when it’ll probably hit me,” he added.
“But it’s a bit of a weird feeling.”
Latest
-
News
England Women wrap up 4-1 series victory in New Zealand
Heather Knight top-scored with 35 in England’s chase of 137.
-
England
England will not adopt negative approach after humbling in India – Zak Crawley
England will aim to get ‘Bazball’ back on track this summer against West Indies and Pakistan.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.