Our number one goal when we go out there is to score runs and it doesn’t matter how long it takes: Pat Cummins

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

During the Edgbaston Test of the ongoing Ashes, which the Australians won by two wickets, their scoring rates were 3.32 and 3.04 in the two innings, respectively. On the other hand, Ben Stokes and Co. employed their famous ‘Bazball’ tactics and scored at 5.03 and 4.11.

Usman Khawaja showed the way for Australia as he scored a gritty 321-ball 141 in the first innings and an equally important 197-ball 65 in the second. While there has been a lot of debate regarding which team has the correct approach to batting, the fact that Australia are 1-0 up will give Pat Cummins’ team a lot of self-confidence as they hope to retain the Ashes.

The Aussie captain explained how bowlers getting rest during Test matches is crucial to the team’s chances. England’s aggressive approach does not give their bowlers much of a rest. In the first Test, the English bowlers bowled on all five days, albeit only four overs on Day 1. Australia’s batting style, however, allows their bowlers to get some rest while it keeps opposition bowlers on the park for longer durations.

“Potentially, for sure,” Cummins was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo when asked about the option of tiring down England’s attack. “I’ve played a lot of Tests back-to-back and you certainly feel much fresher when in the first Test match, you’ve had a big gap in between both innings or you only bowled 30 as opposed to 40, 50. Our number one goal when we go out there is to score runs and it doesn’t matter how long it takes.”

It’s a huge privilege captaining him [Nathan Lyon]: Pat Cummins

The right-arm seamer heaped praise on Nathan Lyon, who would be playing his 100th consecutive Test at Lord’s. The off-spinner was fabulous at Edgbaston, picking up four wickets in each innings of the match. Cummins appreciated Lyon for being “a man for all conditions”.

“It’s a huge privilege captaining him, it’s so easy – just chuck him down one end and he basically just bowls all day,” Cummins said. “In all conditions, being one of the four bowlers that get picked is just hugely impressive. Just the way he’s a man for all conditions, keeps getting better, so reliable.”

Back in the 2019 Ashes, Australia won the first Test at Edgbaston, while the second Test at Lord’s ended in a draw.