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'Starcy Was Terrific' - Pat Cummins Credits Bowlers For Overpowering Pakistan In First ODI

Akshita Patel

Pat Cummins heaps praise on Starc after first ODI win vs Pakistan [Source: @cricketcomau/X.com]Pat Cummins heaps praise on Starc after first ODI win vs Pakistan [Source: @cricketcomau/X.com]

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In his return to the ODI format after the 2023 World Cup victory, Pat Cummins led Australia to a 2-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first ODI of the 3-game series. Cummins hailed his bowlers, especially Mitchell Starc, for exceptional execution with the ball on a bowling-friendly wicket of MCG.

Australia had a positive outing at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on November 4 as they beat Pakistan in the first ODI to take 1-0 lead in the three-game series. The hosts bowled brilliantly to knock out the visitors on 203 in the first innings. 

Mitchell Starc bagged player of the match award for his 3/33 figures. Notably, Pat Cummins experimented with 8 bowling options to test the all-rounder depth.  While Australia fumbled in the chase with 3 wickets in just 2 overs, captain Cummins led from the front to clinch a 2-wicket victory. 

Cummins pleased with Starc's masterclass in MCG

That being said, Pat Cummins was elated with bowlers’ efforts, especially Star who removed openers Shafique, Ayub and tailender Shaheen Afridi. According to IndiaToday, Cummins opined that having the luxury of 3-4 all-rounders is always a plus and he wanted everyone to roll an arm and get some experience under the belt. 

"Tonight we got it done, always much prefer sitting in the changing room. Wonderful match but got a bit tighter than we would have liked. Really happy with the way the guys bowled, Starcy was terrific at the top and the others bowled really well. [on trying 8 bowlers] Trying to keep it interesting, Marnus is always in my ear so he had to have an over, he got one wicket. With this being an ODI and with the conditions, we got plenty of all-rounders, might as well use them," he said.

However, the skipper also noted that the mini collapse after the 20th over was a consequence of over aggressiveness. Moving forward, he wants the batters to focus on partnerships rather than launching boundaries. 

"For three-quarters we were really good, try and find some partnerships, looking to play aggressively and sometimes it may not work, but think still room to try and find a couple of partnerships," he added.

Starc joins McGrath, Brett Lee’s company

With a three-wicket-haul in the first ODI against Pakistan, pacer Mitchell Starc moved to fifth spot in the list of most wickets taken for Australia at home in the ODI format. Starc is placed 5th with 101 wickets in the list led by Brett Lee with 169 wickets. Glenn McGrath holds second place with 160 wickets followed by Shane Warne with 134 dismissals. Notably, Starc is the only active player in the top 5 list.