Mitchell Starc: We have a lot of confidence out on the field with Cummins running the show
Australia’s cricket team has had a spectacular year, and skipper Pat Cummins is enjoying every moment of it, even by their high standards; In just six months, the 30-year-old has guided his team to victory in the World Test Championship, the Ashes in England, and the World Cup in India.
Australia’s cricket team has had a spectacular year, and skipper Pat Cummins is enjoying every moment of it, even by their high standards.
In just six months, the 30-year-old has guided his team to victory in the World Test Championship, the Ashes in England, and the World Cup in India. Mitchell Starc, a fellow fast bowler from New South Welshman, was all praise for his leader.
“[I] think he’s been phenomenal, the last two months have spoken to that. He’s certainly had his critics and people have their own opinions that it has to be done a certain way and Pat’s never been phased by that although I’m sure he’s at times felt it internally but he doesn’t portray that to the wider group,”
said Starc who along with Cummins visited the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) to display the recently-won World Cup Trophy.
Australia had a notable campaign in India, losing their opening two matches before winning nine straight to take the title. Naturally, Australia was under pressure after the first two games, especially after Cummins’ captaincy appeared to be in doubt.
The 30-year-old not only turned things around as a leader, but he also made outstanding plays with the ball when it mattered most.
Cummins came up as a contributor anytime his team needed him, from the pivotal moment of Virat Kohli’s dismissal in the World Cup final to Kusal Perera’s game-changing breakthrough when Sri Lanka was winning their third league match against Australia.
“We have a lot of confidence out on the field with him running the show,”
Starc said.
“Whilst I’m not the most receptive to chat at the top of my mark as am sure he’ll attest to, it’s all listened to, and the fact the three [Josh Hazlewood] of us have grown up together it’s taken the right way. A lot of this has a lot to do with the way Pat captained through the World Cup, especially that last game which is spoken about a lot. Whether it’s the courage to do things differently see the game differently or chop and change bowling spells to one over and we stand here with the trophy. Thoroughly enjoyed playing under Pat and look forward to it for a long time.”
When asked about the weight of all the impressive success, the Australian captain emphasized the value of having a strong and long team for long-term success.
“To win one World Cup is hugely successful and rewarding, for a few of us that have done it twice and a few of the guys to win two one-day World cups and a T20 World Cup and a couple of others to have won a Test one as well, it’s not lost on us and how grateful we are to have those opportunities but to have that success as a team, that’s not lost on our group. They are very special moments, times we can reflect on when we are finished. Likewise, with the last two months, it’s going to be very special for the whole group of players and staff. There’s a little carrot in a few months.”
“Just missed out last year [T20 World Cup at home]. To hold one trophy takes a lot but to hold them across formats really shows our amazing coaching group but also the squad of players. You can’t do that with 11 players, you need 25 really good players so it shows the strength of Australian cricket at the moment, the appetite of the guys to compete whenever they play. Everything takes a lot out of you but the guys keep rocking up and performing which is as pleasing as anything else”
During the World Cup final, Australia’s choice to field first after winning the toss on Ahmedabad’s dry-used pitch was one of the main talking points. The majority of visiting sides would have gone the other way, especially those from outside of Asia.
To put as much pressure as possible on their opponents on the scoreboard, Australia has been known to bat first in important games, employing the age-old theory of ‘runs on the board’. Cummins felt that bowling was the best course of action in the game, even though he understood it was a gamble that could have backfired if India had scored a massive score.
“It could be easy for me, and the coaching staff, to take the easy option. We kept doubling down on wanting to be aggressive, wanting to be brave, and taking some risks and fortunately, they paid off. We thought we needed to take those risks to have any chance so really proud not only with the results and then coming off, but also taking those risks in the first place.”
Similar to Cummins, David Warner was a well-known Australian player who faced criticism at the World Cup. But just like it did in the T20 World Cup of 2021, the left-hander had an incredibly successful competition and easily led Australia in runs scored during the World Cup.
Warner is likely to hang up his boots soon, so Cummins praised his role in the team’s success and wished his teammate a happy retirement.
“It can’t hurt, any player is better when they are going in with confidence into games. Thought he was brilliant in this World Cup like he has been in a white ball for a long time. He wasn’t just playing for himself out there, he’d take the game on, be brave, and really put it back on the opposition. Think he’s hitting the ball beautifully at the moment.”
“He’s a great of our game in all formats. So no doubt that’s (the farewell plan) part of it. First and foremost you think of the performance side of things when you are picking a side.”