After A Memorable 2023, Captain Pat Cummins Gets Off To A Flier In 2024

Pat Cummins led AUS to a 3-0 clean-sweep vs PAK [AP]

There was a time when, in the immediate aftermath of the Glenn McGrath era, the Australian cricket fans, as also the playing eleven, wondered what might happen to their fast-bowling hopes. 

For his indispensable quality as a right-arm medium fast known for immaculate control in line and length, the legendary McGrath was considered indispensable. Then, one found Mitchell Johnson, a fast bowling great of his time, and the impressive Peter Siddle. In between this era came the likes of Ben Helfenhaus and then Jimmy Faulkner. 

But it appears that greatness has been found in someone like Pat Cummins, the big, burly Australian fast bowler who could author yet another era of Australian fast bowling. 

Typically speaking, cricket has seen the ascendency of batters as the leaders of a core group. Australian cricket is an avid example of a trend; there was the iconic Border back then, and soon after that, there came Waugh and then Ponting, Clarke and Smith. 

But in Pat Cummins, Cricket Australia have a tall leader who can handle himself with the bat, besides being exemplary with the ball. 

Faster than McGrath, more accurate than Fleming was and perhaps fitter than Johnson and Watson, Pat Cummins has heralded a new era in Australian cricket where the focus, perhaps after a decade and a half, which is quite a while, has spun back the fast bowler’s way. 

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Intrepid expressing himself with the white ball and red, Pat Cummins is the mortal danger that batters who expose themselves to the game sans much of a technique must guard against. 

But that they often don’t- irrespective of whether they are sound technicians or those gifted with flair- goes to suggest Pat Cummins’s consistency and, hence, success with the ball. 

However, big statements, as one may think of these, notwithstanding, is there any clear evidence that back the praise that comes Cummins’s way? 

Let’s not go too far back in time, but look at a harmless statistic. From just 11 Tests in 2023, the lanky Australian leader picked 42 wickets. Moreover, he took only 320 overs to claim these many wickets, meaning picking a wicket was a little over nine wickets. 

Pat Cummins has been an exceptional leader [AP]

However, to emphasise Pat Cummins’ proficiency in Test cricket, it is vital to touch upon his most recent exploits; the right-arm fast-medium claimed a brilliant ten-for against Pakistan in the Boxing Day test, arguably the most exciting and sought-after five-day contest in the annals of Australian cricket. 

To take a fifer in any inning is significant, especially since a bowler is making his mark in what is considered the peak of the game. This was the Australian captain leading from the front and in a decisive contest for his homeland. 

Furthermore, Pat Cummins could not have a better start to his 2024 campaign, beginning with a bang as he took another five-for against the same opponent, albeit spurring the Sydney fans. 

As the ongoing Australia versus Pakistan contest reaches peak crescendo, Cummins, together with Lyon and Starc, has already wracked havoc for the visiting side. 

Just imagine where Pakistan might have been in this ongoing Test match had a tail-ender not fired a much-needed fifty. 

However, thanks to his 5 for 61, Pat Cummins broke the back of the Pakistani order, taking three big wickets of Babar Azam, Mohd. Rizwan and Saud Shakeel. Only the wicket-keeping batter was able to withstand the barrage of bounce and pace that the Aussies were haranguing the Pakistanis with. 

But all said and done, Cummins has made an impact quite early on in 2024. Another series win here for Australia will keep his leadership stint in a good stint and further add more gravitas to men’s cricket’s brightest and most versatile unit. 

It’s one where the captain isn’t bigger than the other ten who play with him, not for him. It’s one where collective excellence overshines the depth of individual milestones.

Right, Mr. Cummins? 

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