The first of a three-match Test series between Australia and Pakistan is already underway in Perth. After spending the majority of their cricket season playing in unfavorable circumstances, the pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and captain Pat Cummins will attempt to unleash mayhem on Pakistani hitters on surfaces that are amenable to bounce back balls.
The three formidable pacers have a strong friendship off the track that transfers to the field. They are such good complements to one another and always support one another.
“We’re going to be lifelong partners, Josh Hazelwood and Mitchell Starc in particular. Cummins had said to Cricket Australia (CA) on the eve of the opening test, “There will be plenty of times when we’re reminiscing, and probably over the years we’ll get better and better in our own minds than what we actually were.”
The series against Pakistan presents an opportunity for Starc, Hazlewood, and Cummins to establish themselves as Australia’s most successful pace trio. With 15 victories in 22 Test matches, the illustrious combination of Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, and Jason Gillespie was unbeatable. In contrast, Cummins and team have won 14 of the 25 Test matches they have played together. Hence, if they win in Perth, they might tie or perhaps exceed McGrath and Co.’s total at the next games in Melbourne and Sydney.
One thing that will set the McGrath-led team apart is that they have never lost a Test match played at home. In contrast, the current lot has performed better in all forms. Lee and Gillespie only had one victory in the 2003 ODI World Cup, compared to McGrath’s three. Cummins and Co. have twice taken home the highly sought-after prize (in 2015 and 2023). They also won the 2021 T20 World Cup. But McGrath, Lee, and Gillespie didn’t participate in any T20 World Cups during that period.
When you compare the 2023 victory to 2015, the World Test Championship, and the T20 World Cup a few years prior, you can’t help but think of some of the unique moments and group shots that occurred following the victory. You see that between us, we’ve accomplished some pretty amazing things, “stated Cummins.
With a strike rate of 52.68 and an average of 26.75 from 25 Test matches, Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood have taken a total of 306 wickets between them. With an average of 28.47 and a strike rate of 55.51, the senior group concluded with 243 wickets from 22 Test matches.
This year, Australia traveled to England and India for a handful of Test series. In contrast to the majority of Indian pitches, which were ideal for spin bowling, English surfaces were flatter and provided little benefit to bowlers. During the opening Test match against Pakistan, Cummins talked about how excited he was to bowl in Perth, a city renowned for its bounce and movement.
“Extremely happy to be here. The past few summers in Australia have been slightly better than those in England or India. This is where we love to play. Even an individual such as Nathan Lyon—the ground isn’t usually conducive to spin—has a fantastic record there and enjoys bowling on the bouncey pitches, the all-round player said.
These are the pitches on which we have played for ten years and where we have grown up. We are well familiar with them. It’s always good when something flings out of your palm and you can see the bounce and tempo,” Cummins said. “We know what works.”
India
