‘I loved how much people were focussing on Test cricket’ – Pat Cummins opens up on aftermath of Lord’s Test

Pat Cummins. (Photo Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Pat Cummins, Australia Test skipper, has opened up about the aftermath of the second Test of the 2023 Ashes at the Lord’s Cricket Ground. Australia outplayed Ben Stokes and Co. by 43 runs which gave the Kangaroos a 2-0 lead in the Ashes series.

Australia handed England a 371-run target in the fourth innings. The main talking point in the second Test was the dismissal of wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow. The Englishman was stumped by his Australian counterpart Alex Carey as he stepped out of his crease after dodging all-rounder Cameron Green’s bouncer.

Cummins opined that the aforementioned incident flared up the Ashes series. The 30-year-old stated that after that game a lot of people were talking about the game and he was delighted to know that people were focusing on the longest format of the game. He added that every Ashes series will drop something for everyone.

“I think the great thing was how many people were speaking about cricket … it was the middle of winter [in Australia] and cricket was the main sport for a couple of months. So personally, I loved how much people were focusing on Test cricket and loving the contest each day. And also the old [sporting] rivalry between us and them….every Ashes series seems to drop something,” Cummins said on Channel Seven’s Sunrise.

The England team, fans, and the media all responded strongly following the controversial dismissal of Bairstow. Brendon McCullum, England’s head coach, had then stated it would be a while before the team hangs out with the tourists, but he later withdrew the statement.

In the midst of the ‘Spirit of Cricket’ argument, Australia, on the other hand, remained firm. Moreover, Cummins has backed Carey since the opening day, when the Aussie wicketkeeper received negative comments from the English crowd for the rest of the series.

Notably, England staged a huge comeback in the third Test and won the game by three wickets. The hosts also won the fifth and final Test after the fourth game ended in a draw, restricting Australia to win an Ashes series on England soil since 2001.