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Former England skipper Michael Vaughan has praised Australian skipper Pat Cummins for his impressive leadership skills in 2023, which resulted in leading his team to a Test series win.
Pat Cummins had an outstanding 2023, retaining the Ashes, winning the WTC final, followed by winning the World Cup, and now a Test series win against Pakistan to start the summer.
Pat Cummins secured a 10-wicket haul in the match, with his fellow pacers supporting him with good bowling spells as well. Chasing 316 to win, Pakistan were dismissed for 237 as Australia won the match by 79 runs. His 10/97 match figures allowed Australia to clinch the three-match series with a game remaining.
Pat Cummins achieved his 250th Test wicket as he dismissed Mohammad Rizwan for 35, ending a 57-run stand between the two. Pakistan lost their last five wickets for 18 runs as Cummins and Starc shared the last five wickets between themselves.
Also Read: PAK vs AUS: Watch – Mitchell Starc Fulfills Promise To Gift Boots To Young Fan After Series Win
Michael Vaughan Lauds Pat Cummins After Test Series Win Over Pakistan
Michael Vaughan while talking to Fox Sports praised Cummins and said that as a player he is up there with the likes of Glenn McGrath and Dennis Lillee.
“In years gone by, he’s certainly going to be talked of in the same breath as McGrath and Lillee. That [bowling] average is low now, but I think it will get better,” Vaughan said on Fox Sports.
Mark Waugh, who was in the same panel of experts in the discussion, said that Cummins was plagued by injuries and was unlucky to miss out on a lot of cricket in his initial years.
“I reckon early in his career he was luckless. He didn’t get a lot of wickets in the first part of his career. He just bowled a fraction short, but he beat the bat a lot. It took him a while for him to get the big numbers up, but he hasn’t looked back the last couple of years. He’s going to be one of the all-time greats,” Waugh reckoned.
At the post-match presentation, Pat Cummins hailed the efforts of all his players and spoke in length about how the Test match panned out. Australia got off to a winning start in the home summer and Cummins, who was also the Man of the Match, spoke about his own performance as well.
“Love playing here. Boxing Day – biggest Test match of the calendar. Love the build-up around Christmas. Last few years, the wickets have been nice. You got a few options here, there’s a bit of seam in the last few years. I like a bit of up and down bounce. You can bowl some short balls. The run-up’s always really nice here” said Cummins.
He also spoke about the dressing room atmosphere when Australia lost four wickets for just 16 runs in the second innings. Mitchell Marsh scored 96 and added key partnerships with Steve Smith (50) and Alex Carey (53) to take Australia past 260.
” That was a huge partnership, got us back in the game, gave us something to defend. Even at 4/16, the dressing room was calm. We knew someone’s gonna step up. Real trust and support in the change room for each other. Every week, it feels like another match-winner stands up. Crazy year, lots of success on the field. I think we will look back and remember 2023 as one of the special ones. Got an extra day off, chill for a few days and get ready for the next Test” Cummins concluded saying.
The third and final test between Australia and Pakistan will be played at the SCG from January 3-7, 2024. Having won the series, they will now aim for a clean sweep.
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