Pat Cummins. (Photo Source: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Australia’s Test captain Pat Cummins is under the spotlight as the Ashes series nears its end. Despite facing challenges on the field and criticism off it, head coach Andrew McDonald has dismissed any speculation of Cummins stepping down as captain after the series.
Cummins and Australia encountered tough situation in Manchester Test as England’s Zak Crawley and Jonny Bairstow displayed impressive batting skills and pushed the visitors on the backfoot. Australia’s short-pitched bowling tactics also faced scrutiny against England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach. Former Victoria captain Darren Berry criticized Australia’s strategies and even predicted Cummins’ resignation after the final test at The Oval.
However, coach McDonald responded to Berry’s remarks, calling them “most interesting”. Highlighting the diverse nature of leadership, McDonald also reckoned said that it is important to understand that even the best players occasionally have bad games, which adds pressure to the role of captain.. While acknowledging room for critique in tactics and execution, McDonald deemed the suggestion of Cummins resigning as captain post-series as far-fetched.
“There are opinions that we respect and there are opinions that we don’t. We’re all working for Australian cricket team together. It should never really come down to Pat as an individual but, unfortunately, as a captain, sometimes you wear that,” McDonald was quoted as saying by India Today.
Cummins, who has played in all four games of the Ashes so far, denied claims that the captaincy had affected his performance.
“I don’t think (that was an issue). It was just execution, I let through more boundaries than I normally do. Probably just one or two bad balls an over,” Cummins said while reflecting on his bowling after the drawn Manchester Test.
Meanwhile, as the Ashes series comes to a close, all eyes will be on Cummins and his team in the final Test at The Oval.