Vaibhav Tripathi
Australia skipper Pat Cummins talked about the challenges of facing skilful Indian spinners ahead of the WTC final against India at The Oval. He also succinctly observed that the conditions in India, where Australia played their previous Test series, are completely different to what both sides would encounter in the summit clash.
“We obviously haven’t played India back home for a couple of years,” he said in a pre-match presser. “So the side’s a little bit different. But they’ve been fantastic when they’ve travelled out to Australia a couple times. You know the conditions of the last couple of months ago in India are vastly different to here.
“So, there are a few unknowns coming up against them here in a kind of one-off game, but we feel really confident. We love playing in England. We know these guys really well, so we’re going in really confident. It’s always a challenge coming up against world-class spinners. I dare say, the wicket might not play like it did in Delhi or some of those places for the spinners but they’re crafty, they’ve got pretty good records, wherever they play in the world, so they’re always going to be a challenge.”
Cummins also discussed the significance of the WTC final, and hoped that it would become an important event in cricket, given the expected high viewership and attendance. He also acknowledged the changing landscape of cricket.
“Well, I hope this week shows that it does work. I think every day is a sell-out. I just had a meeting there, where they said it’s probably going to be the most watched Test match ever played. So, hopefully, this event is a real event that’s here to stay. We’ve certainly spoken about it over the last couple of years, and in terms of its place in the wider cricketing scope, there’s lots of content out there nowadays and probably more competition than there has been before.
“I know in Australia, we’re fortunate, you turn up to the Test matches there at a home summer, the crowds are packed, millions of people watching on TV, so I hope so. You know, every Test player that I’ve come up against talks about their love of the game.”
Cummins praised his pace colleague, Scott Boland, for his control and seam-bowling skills. Boland, who has had an impressive start to his Test career, was included in the XI on the back of Josh Hazlewood not recovering fully from his Achilles’ injury.
“Hopefully huge. These conditions just seem to suit him (Boland), you’d think. He hasn’t played a lot over here, but a seam bowler who will be rewarded for just bowling in the good areas over and over again. That’s what he brings to the team. He’s been fantastic. Even in India, he played the first Test match there on a pretty docile wicket and still did a fantastic job. He’s a seasoned pro. If there’s any assistance in the wicket as well, he just goes to that next level.
Cummins also backed his experienced opener David Warner, and pointed out that the southpaw is at his very best when he plays with freedom. “I think when Davey’s at his best he’s an aggressive, scary proposition to the opposition. So that’s what we’d love to see, how does Davey go out there, take the game on, put the pressure back on the opposition.
“I think if he does that, he’s going to score runs, even if it’s not this game, it’s going to be you know the next game or the next game. I’d love Dave to just to take the game on, play his role that he has for 100 test matches.”