Australia were under immense strain in their fourth innings of the Edgbaston Test in the ongoing Ashes 2023 after losing Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey in quick succession. However, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon played brilliant cricket to help the visiting team win the series’ inaugural Test by two wickets.
Former cricketer Chris Rogers praised Pat Cummins excellent game reading as his 14-run over against Joe Root altered the game’s momentum and gave Australia the confidence to go the distance while analysing their partnership.
As a result of the change in the situation, he believes it was a very hazardous but calculated decision. After that, the Pat Cummins-led team needed two to three runs per over to win the match, which appeared feasible as they eventually did so with ease. Rogers stated, in relation to the same topic, that Cummins was aware of what needed to be done and eventually assumed responsibility for completing the task.
“It’s a case of a top-tier player interpreting the game and realising that was likely what he needed to do. He had to exert pressure on England and gain the upper hand; he was the one who had to assume responsibility. Rogers said in the most recent episode of the SEN podcast, “There was always going to be a risk in doing that, but he felt it was calculated, and once he did it, the game changed and started to swing back a little bit in Australia’s favour.”
That was absolutely incredible from Pat: Rogers Rogers also praised Pat Cummins for his brilliant captaincy and emphasised the significance of Australia’s recent highly successful head coach, Andrew McDonald.
“There will always be doubts about a fast bowler being captain, but Cummins and Andrew McDonald have made this Australian team their own in equal measure. Such detractors are always present in the background.
“Your finest players must stand tall and be counted. Pat’s performance was absolutely incredible. Rogers added, “Just to steer the team home when they were in a lot of trouble with 50 or so to go, he took on the responsibility and accomplished it.”