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

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

The Advertiser4 days ago

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.
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.
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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Cummins reaches milestone in WTC final masterclass
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Cummins reaches milestone in WTC final masterclass

Pat Cummins has become the eighth Australian to take 300 Test wickets after demolishing South Africa in the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Australia have secured a first-innings lead of 74, skittling the Proteas for 138 midway through the second session of day two on Thursday. The evergreen fast-bowling machine of Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc proved no match for South Africa, who ended the WTC cycle on top of the table. While Starc started the destruction on Wednesday evening, Cummins (6-28) was relentless in finishing the job. It was the 14th five-wicket haul of Cummins' brilliant 68-Test career. The first fast-bowler to captain Australia long-term, Cummins joins the country's greats in reaching 300 wickets. Shane Warne (708 wickets) and Glenn McGrath (563) sit one and two, while Cummins' teammates Nathan Lyon (553) and Mitchell Starc (384) are next in line. Dennis Lillee (355), Mitchell Johnson (313) and Brett Lee (310) are the others to take more than 300. Out of those eight players, only McGrath has a better average (21.64) than Cummins (22.08). The 32-year-old also becomes the first captain since England's Bob Willis in 1982 to take a five-wicket haul at Lord's. One of Cummins' six victims was Kyle Verreynne, who had to go after being trapped lbw. As Cummins was appealing, he and Verreynne collided with each other and tumbled over. The umpire gave the South Africa wicketkeeper not out, but Cummins successfully appealed. Starting day two in serious trouble at 4-43, the Proteas were able to frustrate Australia's star-studded bowling attack in the first session and move to 5-121 at lunch in pursuit of 212. But Cummins inspired a collapse of 5-12 to put Australia in pole position to defend the WTC title they won in 2023. David Bedingham (45) top scored for South Africa, while Proteas captain Temba Bavuma survived a controversial DRS decision. Adjudged lbw on 16 off Josh Hazlewood, Bavuma left it late to review, but eventually took the decision upstairs with four seconds remaining. The ball would have been smashing into the stumps, but a spike on snicko incredibly meant Bavuma had survived. Former England captain Alastair Cook said during radio commentary he didn't believe Bavuma had hit it. But after looking promising, highlighted by smashing opposing captain Cummins for six, Bavuma (36) scooped a drive to cover where Marnus Labuschagne pulled off a terrific diving catch. South Africa, who won seven-straight Tests to qualify for the final, are attempting to break a title drought in ICC tournaments dating back to 1998. This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final. Pat Cummins has become the eighth Australian to take 300 Test wickets after demolishing South Africa in the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Australia have secured a first-innings lead of 74, skittling the Proteas for 138 midway through the second session of day two on Thursday. The evergreen fast-bowling machine of Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc proved no match for South Africa, who ended the WTC cycle on top of the table. While Starc started the destruction on Wednesday evening, Cummins (6-28) was relentless in finishing the job. It was the 14th five-wicket haul of Cummins' brilliant 68-Test career. The first fast-bowler to captain Australia long-term, Cummins joins the country's greats in reaching 300 wickets. Shane Warne (708 wickets) and Glenn McGrath (563) sit one and two, while Cummins' teammates Nathan Lyon (553) and Mitchell Starc (384) are next in line. Dennis Lillee (355), Mitchell Johnson (313) and Brett Lee (310) are the others to take more than 300. Out of those eight players, only McGrath has a better average (21.64) than Cummins (22.08). The 32-year-old also becomes the first captain since England's Bob Willis in 1982 to take a five-wicket haul at Lord's. One of Cummins' six victims was Kyle Verreynne, who had to go after being trapped lbw. As Cummins was appealing, he and Verreynne collided with each other and tumbled over. The umpire gave the South Africa wicketkeeper not out, but Cummins successfully appealed. Starting day two in serious trouble at 4-43, the Proteas were able to frustrate Australia's star-studded bowling attack in the first session and move to 5-121 at lunch in pursuit of 212. But Cummins inspired a collapse of 5-12 to put Australia in pole position to defend the WTC title they won in 2023. David Bedingham (45) top scored for South Africa, while Proteas captain Temba Bavuma survived a controversial DRS decision. Adjudged lbw on 16 off Josh Hazlewood, Bavuma left it late to review, but eventually took the decision upstairs with four seconds remaining. The ball would have been smashing into the stumps, but a spike on snicko incredibly meant Bavuma had survived. Former England captain Alastair Cook said during radio commentary he didn't believe Bavuma had hit it. But after looking promising, highlighted by smashing opposing captain Cummins for six, Bavuma (36) scooped a drive to cover where Marnus Labuschagne pulled off a terrific diving catch. South Africa, who won seven-straight Tests to qualify for the final, are attempting to break a title drought in ICC tournaments dating back to 1998. This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final. Pat Cummins has become the eighth Australian to take 300 Test wickets after demolishing South Africa in the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Australia have secured a first-innings lead of 74, skittling the Proteas for 138 midway through the second session of day two on Thursday. The evergreen fast-bowling machine of Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc proved no match for South Africa, who ended the WTC cycle on top of the table. While Starc started the destruction on Wednesday evening, Cummins (6-28) was relentless in finishing the job. It was the 14th five-wicket haul of Cummins' brilliant 68-Test career. The first fast-bowler to captain Australia long-term, Cummins joins the country's greats in reaching 300 wickets. Shane Warne (708 wickets) and Glenn McGrath (563) sit one and two, while Cummins' teammates Nathan Lyon (553) and Mitchell Starc (384) are next in line. Dennis Lillee (355), Mitchell Johnson (313) and Brett Lee (310) are the others to take more than 300. Out of those eight players, only McGrath has a better average (21.64) than Cummins (22.08). The 32-year-old also becomes the first captain since England's Bob Willis in 1982 to take a five-wicket haul at Lord's. One of Cummins' six victims was Kyle Verreynne, who had to go after being trapped lbw. As Cummins was appealing, he and Verreynne collided with each other and tumbled over. The umpire gave the South Africa wicketkeeper not out, but Cummins successfully appealed. Starting day two in serious trouble at 4-43, the Proteas were able to frustrate Australia's star-studded bowling attack in the first session and move to 5-121 at lunch in pursuit of 212. But Cummins inspired a collapse of 5-12 to put Australia in pole position to defend the WTC title they won in 2023. David Bedingham (45) top scored for South Africa, while Proteas captain Temba Bavuma survived a controversial DRS decision. Adjudged lbw on 16 off Josh Hazlewood, Bavuma left it late to review, but eventually took the decision upstairs with four seconds remaining. The ball would have been smashing into the stumps, but a spike on snicko incredibly meant Bavuma had survived. Former England captain Alastair Cook said during radio commentary he didn't believe Bavuma had hit it. But after looking promising, highlighted by smashing opposing captain Cummins for six, Bavuma (36) scooped a drive to cover where Marnus Labuschagne pulled off a terrific diving catch. South Africa, who won seven-straight Tests to qualify for the final, are attempting to break a title drought in ICC tournaments dating back to 1998. This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final.

South African captain Temba Bavuma survives controversial DRS decision in World Test Championship final
South African captain Temba Bavuma survives controversial DRS decision in World Test Championship final

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time3 hours ago

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South African captain Temba Bavuma survives controversial DRS decision in World Test Championship final

South Africa have made the most of perfect batting conditions at Lord's to reduce Australia's lead to 91 in the World Test Championship final. Starting day two in serious trouble at 4-43, the Proteas were able to frustrate Australia's star-studded bowling attack and move to 5-121 at lunch on day two. Australia, boosted by Beau Webster's 72 and a 66 from Steve Smith, posted 212 on Wednesday after being sent in to bat. With the sun shining from ball one on Thursday, unlike day one when it was overcast until the afternoon, South Africa batted sensibly and attempted to keep the scoreboard moving. South Africa captain Temba Bavuma survived a controversial DRS decision, allowing him to make important inroads into Australia's lead. Adjudged lbw on 16 off Josh Hazlewood, Bavuma left it late to review, but eventually took the decision upstairs with four seconds remaining. The ball would have been smashing into the stumps, but a spike on snicko incredibly meant Bavuma had survived. Former England captain Alastair Cook said during radio commentary he didn't believe Bavuma had hit it. But after looking promising, highlighted by smashing opposing captain Pat Cummins for six, Bavuma (36) scooped a drive to cover where Marnus Labuschagne pulled off a terrific diving catch. Cummins (2-24) got the crucial breakthrough, gaining revenge for being the first bowler in the match to be hit over the rope. Australia have managed to produce several edges, but none have carried completely to the slips cordon. No.6 David Bedingham (39*) has looked steady at the crease, and will resume with dangerous wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne (11*) after lunch. South Africa, who won seven straight Tests to qualify for the final, are attempting to break a title drought in ICC tournaments dating back to 1998.

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