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Pat Cummins’ Captaincy Under Fire As Hayden, Dale Steyn Slam Aussies 'Defensive' Approach

Sakshi Sharma

Pat Cummins and team Australia (Source: AP)Pat Cummins and team Australia (Source: AP)

Australia captain Pat Cummins has come under heavy criticism from two of cricket’s biggest legends Matthew Hayden and Dale Steyn. The former cricketers have described Australia's approach as 'defensive' and 'passive' in the fourth innings of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 at Lord’s. With South Africa needing just 69 runs and eight wickets in hand to seal their maiden WTC title, questions are mounting over Australia’s tactics on Day 3.

On Day 3, South Africa stumbled early as they lost early wickets of Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder for just 70 runs. Captain Temba Bavuma suffered a hamstring strain and batted in visible discomfort, unable to run quick singles or convert runs. Despite that, Australia’s bowlers failed to capitalise, allowing Bavuma and Aiden Markram to stitch an unbroken 143-run stand. 

Hayden, Steyn Rip Into Cummins Over WTC Final Tactics

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden criticised Pat Cummins’ leadership, and also suggested that the Aussies missed a golden opportunity to maintain pressure and seize control.

"You know, this defensive effort here from Australia, it was all about how they were going to take wickets and how they were going to do that early,” Hayden told the host broadcaster after play on Day 3.

They got through Mulder, they got through Rickelton, and they had to put pressure on Bavuma. Less defensive, more attacking. Imagine if those first couple of balls had been chipped up — South Africa would’ve been three down. Australia would’ve had control. Yes, it’s flat, but to defend the World Test Championship, you must take 10 wickets. You must take the top three out of play.”

Reflecting on Hayden’s sentiments, Dale Steyn highlighted the lack of aggression in Australia’s field settings. Steyn particularly criticised the decision to remove close-in fielders once the Bavuma-Markram stand began to settle.

“A little bit surprised, I think. The ball was keeping low, not carrying to the slips. In places like India, you have a short cover, short midwicket—those become your cordon. On days like this, when the ball isn't doing enough, you’ve got to create those opportunities. I don’t think the field placements challenged the batters enough.” Steyn said.

Australia Lost Control Despite Early Advantage

Australia entered the WTC Final as firm favourites and were in control across the first two days. After posting 212 in the first innings, their bowlers dismissed South Africa for just 138. Despite another batting collapse in the second innings, Mitchell Starc’s late resistance pushed Australia’s total to 207, setting the Proteas a tricky target of 282.

With the new ball doing just enough under cloudy skies, early inroads gave Australia the upper hand. However, the lack of follow-up pressure allowed Proteas to rebuild with little threat. South Africa now heads into Day 4 needing just 69 more runs to win their first ICC title in 27 years.