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regular-article-logo Sunday, 12 May 2024

Friendly Aussies? Now we’ll be fiery: Cummins

He also hopes the pitches for the Test series will assist bowlers instead of being belters

Sayak Banerjee Calcutta Published 12.12.20, 03:30 AM
Pat Cummins

Pat Cummins Wikipedia

Pat Cummins feels the cordiality witnessed in the limited-overs games against India could well give way to a more “fiery” encounter when the two teams clash in the upcoming four-Test series.

“I think it has been quite friendly in terms of banter and you could see plenty of laughs (in the ODIs and T20Is). But you could also see a lot of quick bowling and lots of batters taking the game on.

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“So I wouldn’t say that the actual match play has been overly friendly, rather it’s been really competitive and even hard.

“Having said that, I wouldn’t be surprised if with the players getting baked in the sun a couple of hours more each day, the Test matches get a little bit more fiery. I’m not sure, but I just hope,” Australia’s prime fast bowler said from Adelaide on Friday at a virtual conference facilitated by Sony Pictures Sports Network.

“How we play the game reflects who we are as a people and for the most part, the Aussie team is about pretty relaxed guys. We like a bit

of a laugh, so let’s see what happens in this series,” Cummins added.

He does understand he could again have his task cut out against Cheteshwar Pujara as well as Virat Kohli. Even though Kohli will be playing only the first Test before proceeding on paternity leave, Cummins is looking forward to a duel with the India captain, recalling those unforgettable ones between Glenn McGrath and Brian Lara.

“I remember McGrath bowling to Lara... You had to watch it because you knew something was going to happen. I like being in those moments,” Cummins said.

About Pujara, Cummins believes the India No.3’s dismissals in the first warm-up game should have given captain Tim Paine an idea about how to get him out.

Cummins also hopes the pitches for the Test series will assist bowlers instead of being belters.

“A fair balance between bat and ball is needed,” he said. “The wicket at Adelaide Oval has been a really good one each time I've played. So, wish for a bit of pace and bounce, and hopefully, a bit of spin for Nathan Lyon too.”

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