Former Australian cricketer Ian Chappell praised captain Pat Cummins for his magnificent performance in the two Tests against Pakistan. Chappell opined that he was on the same page as the great Dennis Lillee because of the kind of impact he made.
Captain Pat Cummins was one of the main reasons behind Australia winning the series against Pakistan. The fast bowler produced a sensational performance with the ball in both the innings at the MCG and sealed the game for his team.
When things were not going Australia’s way, Pat Cummins stepped up and changed the makeup of the game. The fast bowler picked fifers in both innings in the MCG Test and guided his team to a 79-run victory along with a series win.
Ian Chappell praised the way Pat Cummins “deftly dissected Pakistan’s batting line-up”. He cited that the Australian captain possesses a similar mentality to Dennis Lillee and wants to improve. In his column for ESPNCricinfo, he explained:
“As Australia captain Pat Cummins deftly dissected Pakistan’s batting line-up to deliver his team a hard-fought victory in the second Test, I thought: what does it take to rack up Test victims, lots of them? I like both Cummins and the great former Australian fast bowler Dennis Lillee, both for his inspirational qualities and his size of heart.
“Lillee wanted to get the hitters out, have their number. He says, “Fast bowling is as much mental as physical work.” At the top of his mark, Lillee imagined the ball flying towards goalkeeper Rod Marsh, who would receive the shot at head height and retreat. That is what Lillee means when he talks about the mental side of fast bowling.”
Pat Cummins’ spectacular delivery to bowl Pakistan’s Babar Azam – Ian Chappell
One of the highlights of Pat Cummins’ spell in both innings was Babar Azam’s delivery in the second essay. The batsman seemed to have great touch and looked ready for a big hit.
But Pat Cummins made a wonderful delivery to send the dough out to be packed. He bowled a magnificent ball that came in sharply and got into the space between the bat and the pad to clean up the batsman.
Ian Chappell was amazed by that delivery and said Babar Azam’s farewell dance reminded him of Lillee’s greatness. In addition to praising Pat Cummins, he said:
“Cummins’ spectacular delivery to bowl Pakistan’s Babar Azam – once again dismissing the opposition’s best batsman – reminded me of Lillee’s greatness. Like Lillee, Cummins wanted Babar gone. It’s also when you need all the mental toughness that Lillee talks about and that Cummins exudes.
“Windows are important. Ask Cummins. One of Lillee’s great traits was that a batsman had to first overcome his enormous ability, which was no easy task. However, if he accomplished that difficult task, he still had to survive his iron will, which required a monumental effort.”
Pat Cummins will next be seen in action when Australia takes on Pakistan in the third Test starting January 3 in Sydney.
