'Best in years': Captain Cummins ready to tackle WTC

In a warning to the world's batters, Pat Cummins has declared he is feeling better than he has for years.
Fixing up an "iffy" ankle and taking paternity leave has allowed the star quick to return to top shape for Australia's World Test Championship final against South Africa.
After leading Australia to a drought-breaking Border-Gavaskar trophy victory against India in January, Cummins didn't play at all until the Indian Premier League started at the end of March.
The 32-year-old missed Australia's tour of Sri Lanka for the arrival of his second child, Edith, in February.
"Having a bit of a break before the IPL; paternity leave and getting my ankle, which was a little bit iffy, fixed up, so physically I feel as good as I have in years," Cummins told AAP.
"I've been able to have a good couple of bowls over here in England.
"The IPL's always pretty long, but (Australia assistant coach) Dan Vettori is coach (of Sunrisers Hyderabad) and Trav Head, family made it over.
"It feels like I have a lot of bandwidth and feel fresh."
After training at Beckenham on arrival in England, Australia moved across to the famous Lord's on Sunday to prepare for the WTC decider, which starts on Wednesday.
Cummins did manage to sneak away from training to visit English personality Jeremy Clarkson's farm on Friday.
The WTC final will be shown worldwide through Prime Video, the same service that screens the popular Clarkson's Farm.
Australia are gunning for back-to-back WTC crowns, after beating India in the 2023 final at The Oval.
Despite England rival Ben Stokes previously talking down the WTC, now completing its third cycle, Cummins has hailed the concept.
"It''s an ICC event where every Test playing nation is competing, so we want to win that," Cummins said.
"Someone's going to win the trophy. We want it to be us.
"It gives relevance to some two-match series that perhaps otherwise get lost in the calendar.
"We talk about it a lot. We think it's awesome.
"We've had a really good few years as a Test side. We've been No.1 for a long time, but to actually have one, hopefully two trophies to show for this era as well, that would be really nice."
The first three finals have all been held in England, with this edition the first to take place at Lord's.
With the increasingly packed cricket calendar, fitting in the WTC decider following the end of the IPL makes the most sense.
"Logistically, it seems like that's probably the easiest way to have one venue," said Cummins, an Amazon Prime Video ambassador.
"It'd be nice, maybe the previous winner hosts that for the next time, or something like that.
"But as an alternative, I think having it at Lord's every cycle is also a pretty good place."
This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final.

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Pat Cummins drops telling hint about Marnus Labuschagne and Sam Konstas as major WTC call looms

News.com.au

an hour ago

News.com.au

Pat Cummins drops telling hint about Marnus Labuschagne and Sam Konstas as major WTC call looms

Pat Cummins has hinted that Marnus Labuschagne is most likely to get the nod to open the batting for Australia in the World Test Cricket Championship (WTC) final, with young gun Sam Konstas set to be snubbed. The one-off Test against South Africa gets underway on Wednesday (AEDT) and the burning question on every cricket fan's lips is who opens the batting for Australia with Usman Khawaja? Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. It is understood that it is a two-horse race between Konstas and Labushagne, with the latter appearing most likely to be given the tough job at the top of the order. The 30-year-old has never opened at Test level, although Labushagne was discussed as an option to occupy the vacancy left by David Warner following the veteran's retirement in January 2024. Labuschagne's elevation would squeeze Konstas out of the starting XI and accommodate Cameron Green, who missed the recent home summer due to a back injury, back in the order. It is understood that he is set to be picked at first drop. And while Cummins said a final decision is still yet to be made on who opens with Khawaja, the Aussie skipper hinted that the Queenslander is most likely to get the nod. 'There are three or four guys to fit into one spot and you can mount a case for basically any one of them,' Cummins told Yahoo Sport Australia. 'It's a really good problem to have. The selectors will get together in the next 48 hours and have a good look at the wicket and stay open-minded. 'Marn's batted there pretty much his whole career and there's been many games where he's walked out in the first over against the swinging ball. I know a lot of the batters probably say it makes a difference where they bat in the order, but for me, he's good enough to play anywhere.' If selected, Labuschagne would become the fifth player to open alongside Khawaja since Warner's retirement. Steve Smith, Nathan McSweeney and Konstas have all occupied the role before Travis Head was thrown up the order during this year's Test tour of Sri Lanka. Despite a more than passable job as an opener in that series, Head will return to the middle order. And according to Steve Smith – who had a brief but unsuccessful stint at the top of the order last year – Khawaja told him that Labushcagne looks better than ever in the lead-up to the WTC final. 'Looking at the nets yesterday I think he was batting with Uzzy and Uzzy came up to me afterwards and said, 'I think that's the best I've ever seen Marnus bat,'' Smith said, according to Code Sports. 'And that's a big call. Usman has seen a lot of him batting. Marnus was switched on, Uzzy was adamant, he was like, 'geez that was good. That was impressive.' ' (Marnus) seems in a nice place. I was speaking to him last night afterwards and I said that to him. 'I said, 'Uz said you batted really well and he's like, 'geez, I was on. I was in a really good spot.' 'Obviously we've got plenty of options. Marn obviously adds that experience and he's a terrific fielder and he can give us some overs I suppose at any point too. He's played a lot of cricket now and perhaps he hasn't had the best little period but we all go through that.'

Indian superstar's key message for Aussie ace Green

The Advertiser

2 hours ago

The Advertiser

Indian superstar's key message for Aussie ace Green

A message from India superstar Jasprit Bumrah a night before undergoing back surgery provided Cameron Green with confidence he had made the right decision. The towering allrounder is poised to play his first Test in 15 months when Australia take on South Africa in the World Test Championship final that starts on Wednesday. The 26-year-old has made a seamless adjustment back to red-ball cricket, hitting three centuries across his five-game county stint with Gloucestershire. Even though Green won't resume bowling in games until later in the year, his electric form with the bat has meant Australia are unlikely to look past him for selection in the WTC decider. The comeback has surpassed external expectations, but Green was comfortable undergoing lower spine surgery was the right approach. "I spoke to Ben Dwarshuis, and Jason Behrendorff, who I'm very close to in WA," Green said. "And they couldn't speak any higher about getting it. "Both of them said they wished they got it earlier. I think that's obviously really reassuring. "As soon as I decided to get it, I knew it was the right thing to do. "Even Jasprit Bumrah reached out the night before I was getting surgery. "He was in the middle of a Test match in India. Just a few things like that is really special." Green played a season with the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, a franchise where Bumrah is a legend. The superstar quick was sidelined when Green was there in 2023, recovering from his own back surgery. "To get someone like him to reach out and then to watch him during the summer, to see how good he is obviously post-surgery, filled me with a lot of confidence," Green said. "At the two-week mark after surgery, I was in the gym moving around. It was incredible." The progress Green made post-surgery was remarkable. He acknowledged coaches were "probably saying, 'slow down here'". "The procedure has changed, definitely since Jason Behrendorff had his," Green said. "I don't think he could move for seven-to-eight weeks. "He was going a bit like 'stuff you' and I was moving around fine at the two-week mark." "You're missing Test cricket, which is what hurts you the most. "But at the same time, I knew I was going to go home to have five, six months off, which I desperately needed." Green is every chance to bat at No.3 against the Proteas - the highest he has ever been at Test level for Australia. After starting his career at No.6, Green moved up to No.4 when Steve Smith tried his hand at opening once David Warner ended his Test career in January 2024. But with Smith settled back at No.4, there is an opportunity for Green to go up a spot and Marnus Labuschagne fills the opening void alongside Usman Khawaja. "You grow up through your whole career, you speak to anyone here, they've definitely batted in the top three or four throughout their whole junior career. I was no different, batting three until you get to first-class cricket. "Absolutely no issues batting at three, when you've done it your whole life." This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final. A message from India superstar Jasprit Bumrah a night before undergoing back surgery provided Cameron Green with confidence he had made the right decision. The towering allrounder is poised to play his first Test in 15 months when Australia take on South Africa in the World Test Championship final that starts on Wednesday. The 26-year-old has made a seamless adjustment back to red-ball cricket, hitting three centuries across his five-game county stint with Gloucestershire. Even though Green won't resume bowling in games until later in the year, his electric form with the bat has meant Australia are unlikely to look past him for selection in the WTC decider. The comeback has surpassed external expectations, but Green was comfortable undergoing lower spine surgery was the right approach. "I spoke to Ben Dwarshuis, and Jason Behrendorff, who I'm very close to in WA," Green said. "And they couldn't speak any higher about getting it. "Both of them said they wished they got it earlier. I think that's obviously really reassuring. "As soon as I decided to get it, I knew it was the right thing to do. "Even Jasprit Bumrah reached out the night before I was getting surgery. "He was in the middle of a Test match in India. Just a few things like that is really special." Green played a season with the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, a franchise where Bumrah is a legend. The superstar quick was sidelined when Green was there in 2023, recovering from his own back surgery. "To get someone like him to reach out and then to watch him during the summer, to see how good he is obviously post-surgery, filled me with a lot of confidence," Green said. "At the two-week mark after surgery, I was in the gym moving around. It was incredible." The progress Green made post-surgery was remarkable. He acknowledged coaches were "probably saying, 'slow down here'". "The procedure has changed, definitely since Jason Behrendorff had his," Green said. "I don't think he could move for seven-to-eight weeks. "He was going a bit like 'stuff you' and I was moving around fine at the two-week mark." "You're missing Test cricket, which is what hurts you the most. "But at the same time, I knew I was going to go home to have five, six months off, which I desperately needed." Green is every chance to bat at No.3 against the Proteas - the highest he has ever been at Test level for Australia. After starting his career at No.6, Green moved up to No.4 when Steve Smith tried his hand at opening once David Warner ended his Test career in January 2024. But with Smith settled back at No.4, there is an opportunity for Green to go up a spot and Marnus Labuschagne fills the opening void alongside Usman Khawaja. "You grow up through your whole career, you speak to anyone here, they've definitely batted in the top three or four throughout their whole junior career. I was no different, batting three until you get to first-class cricket. "Absolutely no issues batting at three, when you've done it your whole life." This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final. A message from India superstar Jasprit Bumrah a night before undergoing back surgery provided Cameron Green with confidence he had made the right decision. The towering allrounder is poised to play his first Test in 15 months when Australia take on South Africa in the World Test Championship final that starts on Wednesday. The 26-year-old has made a seamless adjustment back to red-ball cricket, hitting three centuries across his five-game county stint with Gloucestershire. Even though Green won't resume bowling in games until later in the year, his electric form with the bat has meant Australia are unlikely to look past him for selection in the WTC decider. The comeback has surpassed external expectations, but Green was comfortable undergoing lower spine surgery was the right approach. "I spoke to Ben Dwarshuis, and Jason Behrendorff, who I'm very close to in WA," Green said. "And they couldn't speak any higher about getting it. "Both of them said they wished they got it earlier. I think that's obviously really reassuring. "As soon as I decided to get it, I knew it was the right thing to do. "Even Jasprit Bumrah reached out the night before I was getting surgery. "He was in the middle of a Test match in India. Just a few things like that is really special." Green played a season with the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, a franchise where Bumrah is a legend. The superstar quick was sidelined when Green was there in 2023, recovering from his own back surgery. "To get someone like him to reach out and then to watch him during the summer, to see how good he is obviously post-surgery, filled me with a lot of confidence," Green said. "At the two-week mark after surgery, I was in the gym moving around. It was incredible." The progress Green made post-surgery was remarkable. He acknowledged coaches were "probably saying, 'slow down here'". "The procedure has changed, definitely since Jason Behrendorff had his," Green said. "I don't think he could move for seven-to-eight weeks. "He was going a bit like 'stuff you' and I was moving around fine at the two-week mark." "You're missing Test cricket, which is what hurts you the most. "But at the same time, I knew I was going to go home to have five, six months off, which I desperately needed." Green is every chance to bat at No.3 against the Proteas - the highest he has ever been at Test level for Australia. After starting his career at No.6, Green moved up to No.4 when Steve Smith tried his hand at opening once David Warner ended his Test career in January 2024. But with Smith settled back at No.4, there is an opportunity for Green to go up a spot and Marnus Labuschagne fills the opening void alongside Usman Khawaja. "You grow up through your whole career, you speak to anyone here, they've definitely batted in the top three or four throughout their whole junior career. I was no different, batting three until you get to first-class cricket. "Absolutely no issues batting at three, when you've done it your whole life." This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final.

Aussie comeback star Cameron Green inspired by Jasprit Bumrah's ‘special' mid-match message before operation

7NEWS