NEW DELHI: The Australian batting lineup has yet to find its rhythm as a cohesive unit in the ongoing World Cup. Captain Pat Cummins is optimistic that his batsmen will deliver an impressive performance when they face Pakistan in Bengaluru this Friday.
With the exception of Josh Inglis and Mitchell Marsh, none of the other Australian batsmen have managed to score a half-century in the tournament thus far.Cummins is placing his faith in the Chinnaswamy stadium’s favorable batting conditions to change this pattern.”You know, especially at a venue like here in Bangalore, I dare say it’s going to be high scoring, smaller field. Pitch is always really good here. So, yeah, batting is super important. I think the way the guys started last game (against Sri Lanka) really set the tone,” said Cummins during his pre-match press meet on Thursday.
Cummins found solace in Mitchell Marsh’s half-century against Sri Lanka and expressed his optimism that David Warner would soon join the ranks of successful scorers in the tournament.
“You know, Mitchie and Davey up front from the first over taking the game on. That’s what we want from our players. They’re working really hard. They’re doing all the right things. I’m sure plenty of runs are around the corner,” said Cummins.
The premier pacer was also delighted to see Inglis stepping up for out of form Alex Carey, who is the regular wicketkeeper.
“Alex has missed out on the last couple, which is unfortunate. We know he’s a class player, but Josh, he stepped up last game, which is awesome,” he said.
The 30-year-old said dew has played a big factor in a team’s decision to bat or bowl after winning the toss in this tournament.
“Yeah, it’s a factor. I think I’ve said it previously in T20s – dew might play a part for 50% of the match plus in here, day and night, I only played part for the last 20 overs, say, in ODI.
“So, you got to balance whether, say, bowling second, it might be tough at the back end. But also, you’ve got lights on, ball might zip around a bit more at night before that. So, it’s a balancing act. I don’t think there’s a right or wrong,” said Cummins.
Pakistan might be coming to this match after a seven-wicket battering by India at Ahmedabad, but Cummins was not ready to take them lightly.
“They’re a side that always seems to be right up there. Some really good quick bowlers who can do some damage, some spin bowlers that can bowl 20 of their overs.
“And then they’ve got, you know, I think Rizwan’s the leading run-scorer, Babar Azam’s always good, a couple of other batters that have scored a lot in ODIs lately. So, they’re a really strong side pretty much in all facets,” he added.
Cummins was asked for his view on Pakistan players openly supporting Palestine in the conflict with Israel, but the New South Welshman did not want to draw himself on to that.
“I love seeing sports people, seeing their personalities brought out as well. So, yeah, no hugely strong thoughts either way,” he said.
(With PTI inputs)
With the exception of Josh Inglis and Mitchell Marsh, none of the other Australian batsmen have managed to score a half-century in the tournament thus far.Cummins is placing his faith in the Chinnaswamy stadium’s favorable batting conditions to change this pattern.”You know, especially at a venue like here in Bangalore, I dare say it’s going to be high scoring, smaller field. Pitch is always really good here. So, yeah, batting is super important. I think the way the guys started last game (against Sri Lanka) really set the tone,” said Cummins during his pre-match press meet on Thursday.
Cummins found solace in Mitchell Marsh’s half-century against Sri Lanka and expressed his optimism that David Warner would soon join the ranks of successful scorers in the tournament.
“You know, Mitchie and Davey up front from the first over taking the game on. That’s what we want from our players. They’re working really hard. They’re doing all the right things. I’m sure plenty of runs are around the corner,” said Cummins.
The premier pacer was also delighted to see Inglis stepping up for out of form Alex Carey, who is the regular wicketkeeper.
“Alex has missed out on the last couple, which is unfortunate. We know he’s a class player, but Josh, he stepped up last game, which is awesome,” he said.
The 30-year-old said dew has played a big factor in a team’s decision to bat or bowl after winning the toss in this tournament.
“Yeah, it’s a factor. I think I’ve said it previously in T20s – dew might play a part for 50% of the match plus in here, day and night, I only played part for the last 20 overs, say, in ODI.
“So, you got to balance whether, say, bowling second, it might be tough at the back end. But also, you’ve got lights on, ball might zip around a bit more at night before that. So, it’s a balancing act. I don’t think there’s a right or wrong,” said Cummins.
Pakistan might be coming to this match after a seven-wicket battering by India at Ahmedabad, but Cummins was not ready to take them lightly.
“They’re a side that always seems to be right up there. Some really good quick bowlers who can do some damage, some spin bowlers that can bowl 20 of their overs.
“And then they’ve got, you know, I think Rizwan’s the leading run-scorer, Babar Azam’s always good, a couple of other batters that have scored a lot in ODIs lately. So, they’re a really strong side pretty much in all facets,” he added.
Cummins was asked for his view on Pakistan players openly supporting Palestine in the conflict with Israel, but the New South Welshman did not want to draw himself on to that.
“I love seeing sports people, seeing their personalities brought out as well. So, yeah, no hugely strong thoughts either way,” he said.
(With PTI inputs)
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