No rest for Pat Cummins and Co. post Australian summer

Australia-Team. (Photo by Morgan Hancock – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

Australia’s pace battery seems primed for a gruelling summer, with the formidable trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc geared up for a packed Test schedule against Pakistan (now concluded), the West Indies, and New Zealand. Coach Andrew McDonald and skipper Pat Cummins expressed surprise at the triumvirate’s robust physical condition, considering the taxing year of international cricket they’ve endured.

This rare scenario marks only the second instance in their careers that Cummins, Hazlewood, and Starc have completed five consecutive Tests together. Their earlier feat, aided by an 11-month COVID-induced hiatus, occurred after the four-match home Test series against India in December 2020 and January 2021, leading into the Ashes’ first Test in December 2021.

However, their current streak saw them unite for the last two Tests of the July 2023 Ashes series, with each playing a minimum of four matches. Cummins and Starc also featured in the World Test Championship final, while Scott Boland filled the shoes of third pacer. Their relentless momentum continued through the ODI World Cup, where they shared the field for 10 out of 11 games, with Starc resting for just one match before the semi-final. The trio then maintained their consistency during the Pakistan series.

There’s nothing to indicate they’ll need a rest: Head coach McDonald

Despite ongoing speculation surrounding David Warner‘s replacement, Australia head coach, Andrew McDonald, confirmed the unwavering commitment to fielding Cummins, Hazlewood, and Starc as an unchanged pace trio for the upcoming first Test against West Indies in Adelaide, scheduled to commence on January 17. Their durability suggests the potential of featuring in the subsequent four Tests against West Indies and New Zealand, hinting at a seamless and relentless display of pace prowess in the upcoming series.

“There’s nothing to indicate they’ll need a rest. They’ve got a little bit of a gap to the West Indies Test match. I could see pretty much an unchanged bowling line-up for Adelaide. It’s probably something we’ve noticed, they’ve probably got better across the [Pakistan] series. In particular, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. And Mitch Starc, I think his ball speed in this game was at its highest,” McDonald was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.