Pat Cummins Archives

‘We made plans to tackle Babar, will try to execute them’ Pat Cummins

LAHORE: Australia’s Test captain Pat Cummins has revealed that the touring side has made plans to tackle Pakistan’s skipper Babar Azam and is confident of executing them in the upcoming third Test.

Cummins, while talking to the virtual pressed conference, ahead of the third Test of the historic series between Pakistan and Australia, unveiled that the touring side has made several plans to tackle Pakistan’s top-batter Babar.

“Babar Azam played an extraordinary knock. We have made plans for him. Now we will be looking to execute those plans, but I must say that he played a good long knock,” he said.

Cummins also revealed that the Aussies will be taking the field with the same combination.

“I have full confidence in my boys. We will take the field with the same Playing XI,” he said.

“We need two spinners. We also considered other options but we think this is the best Playing XI,” he added.

Cummins also claimed that the missed opportunities in the last Test prevented us from winning. However, the right-arm pacer is confident of not losing the chances in the third Test.

“We had a chance to win the Karachi Test but we missed on the given opportunities which really halted us from winning,” he said.

“We can no longer afford to miss out on the opportunities, we need to field well in the Lahore Test,” he added.

The right-arm pacer also commented about the playing conditions in Gaddafi Stadium, said the bowlers do not have much experience of playing in hot conditions.

“This is a big match. The weather is very hot for the fast bowlers. They do not have much experience of playing in these sorts of conditions,” he said.

“There is no grass on the pitch. I can’t say much about this pitch, how different it is
from the first two Tests. But, I think the reverse swing will play an important role in this match,” he concluded.

The Aussie captain however is confident of claiming the series by winning the third Test of the ongoing Benaud-Qadir Trophy.

READ: ‘Fawad Alam knows how to make a comeback’ Babar Azam

‘We are capable of taking 20 wickets in Karachi Test’ Pat Cummins

KARACHI: Australian Test captain Pat Cummins has said that the Aussies are capable enough of taking 20 wickets in the second Test of the Benaud-Qadir Trophy, starting from tomorrow.

In a virtual media interaction, the Australian captain claimed that his side can pick 20 wickets in the upcoming second Test while relying on their spin bowling options. Cummins also confirmed that the leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson will be debuting against Pakistan tomorrow.

“Karachi’s pitch looks good for the spin. Therefore, we have decided to rest [Josh] Hazlewood and Swepson will make his debut,” he said.

“Nathan Lyon and leg-spinner Swepson will make a big difference in our bowling attack for Karachi Test. I think we are eligible enough of taking all the 20 wickets,” he added.

Cummins then went on to opine about NSK’s pitch and said the pitch looks dry and beneficial for the bowlers.

“We had a look at the pitch and it seems a bit dry and favourable for the bowlers. It looks like there will be a break on the wicket,” he said.

“If the ball gets to start reverse swing that Mitchell Starc can put a major threat for the batters,” he added.

Cummins further stated about his side’s preparation for the Karachi Test and said they are ready for the contest and looking forward to continuing their ‘pretty satisfactory’ performance from Pindi.

READ: ‘Haven’t seen Swepson playing yet, will try to plan against him’ Babar

‘Will decide the Playing XI after analyzing the pitch’ Pat Cummins

RAWALPINDI: Australian Test captain Pat Cummins has revealed that he will decide the Playing XI for the first Test of the Benaud-Qadir Trophy after analyzing the pitch.

Cummins, while talking to a virtual presser ahead of the Rawalpindi Test, has revealed that the skipper will decide the playing combination against Pakistan after analyzing the pitch.

“We have not decided the Playing XI as of yet. But, there is a possibility that we can go with three fast bowlers and two spinners,” he said.

“We will decide the final Playing XI after analyzing the pitch. There is no grass on the pitch but it is looking good,” he added.

Cummins also discussed the Pakistan Test team, stating that while the home team will be without three key players, they will not be considered weaker.

“Their three players are not available for the first Test but I will still not call them a weak side,” he said.

The right-arm pacer went on to say that international teams have a full squad and that a replacement player can perform well on any given day.

“International teams have a full squad and other players can come and do well. Just like in the Ashes when [Josh] Hazlewood got injured and [Tom] Bolland came into the side and performer well for us,” he added.

The 28-year-old Australian skipper went on to say that while he does not consider Australia to be favourites, his squad is capable. The right-arm pacer, on the other hand, expressed his pride at being a part of the historic tour while speaking about himself playing in Pakistan for the first time.

READ: Mohammad Amir recovers from injury, starts training

‘Security in Pakistan is very professional’ Australian Test captain Cummins

RAWALPINDI: Australian Test captain has termed the security of Pakistan as very professional as the right-arm pacer, along with his side, touched down in the country for the historic tour after a gap of 24 years.

Cummins, who talked to a virtual presser revealed that he feels incredibly safe in the country, also termed the security as very professional.

“I am feeling incredibly safe in Pakistan. I think the security here is very professional and the hospitality has been outstanding so far,” he said.

“Well, I also think that too much or very tight security will not divert our attention and we can keep our focus firmly on the cricket only,” he added.

Cummins further claimed to be aware that the touring team is restricted to staying at the hotel and that the squad members are used to this circumstance, claiming that they encountered similar constraints while touring India.

“We know that we can not go beyond the hotel frequently, while the boys are used to certain restrictions as we also do not use to go out a lot during our tour to India,” he said.

“The players have brought playing cards and Playstations in their luggage to have a good time during the quarantine,” he concluded.

Furthermore, Cummins also acknowledged the Pakistan Cricket Team as a tough team and said it will be a huge task to beat the men in green in their home conditions.

READ: Australia’s squad lands in Pakistan for historic tour

Pat Cummins hopes ‘close to a full-strength’ squad to tour Pakistan

MELBOURNE: Australia’s Test captain – Pat Cummins is confident that a near full-strength squad will tour Pakistan as only a few players have security concerns for the upcoming tour.

According to the Australian Associated Press (AAP), Cummins is optimist that a near full-strength squad will tour Pakistan later this month while he also acknowledged the pre-tour preparations made by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

“I think we’ll get close to a full-strength squad. There is still a little bit of more work to do,” he said.

“We have received a lot of information and it has been great. All the pre-tour security and biosecurity work has been done and it’s been fantastic,” he added.

Australia’s red ball captain also revealed that the majority of the players are confident in the tour’s continuation, while the others are concerned about security. Cummins, on the other hand, is committed to back his teammates if anyone withdraws.

“There are a couple of players still keen to get a bit more information but everyone is really pumped and feeling relatively comfortable,” he said.

“If anyone doesn’t make the tour it is absolutely okay, we will back them for sure,” he added.

It is worth mentioning that Australia’s historic tour to Pakistan after a gap of 24 years is set to embark on March 3. The tour is comprised of three Test matches that will be contested in Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore, followed by a three-match ODI series from March 29 to April 2. On April 5, a single T20I will be played to conclude the tour.

READ: ‘Shahid Afridi available for selection tonight’ Quetta Galdiators

Australian Test captain Pat Cummins backs Pakistan Tour

HOBART: Pat Cummins, Australia’s Test captain, has thrown his support behind the country’s upcoming tour to Pakistan in March and April of this year.

Cummins, while talking to Australian Associated Press said the preparations for the upcoming tour ‘looks positive’.

“Still a bit to work through, but at this stage, it’s all looking really positive,” Cummins said.

The 28-years-old also believes that the majority of the Australian cricketers will tour Pakistan, however, will also respect the decision of those who decide against it.

“It is shaping up as I think just about everyone — if not all — will go. If some players need to make a choice, it is absolutely fine that they won’t be there,” he added.

Cummins also praised the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) efforts in organising the tour.

“The amount of work the PCB has put into it is fantastic,” he concluded.

Earlier, Pakistan-born Australian batter – Usman Khawaja also urged Australia to tour Pakistan, quoting the tour will ‘inspire generations’.

READ: ‘Australia’s Test tour to Pakistan will be greatest’ Australian commentators