Done and dusted in four days, Australian cricketers head home for Christmas break after an easy 360-run win over Pakistan in AUS vs PAK 1st Test. Pat Cummins was expectedly ecstatic after a hectic and long India tour that ended in a World Cup trophy. And then, owning Pakistan who were bowled out for just 89 in the second innings. Following the match, Australia skipper Cummins could not help but acknowledge a great start to the summer.
“Great start to the summer. Everything fell in place really so couldn’t be happier. We’ve played a lot of cricket here, it’s an experienced side so the build-up was very chilled and relaxed,” Pat Cummins said at the post-match presentation.
“Going to get home for a few days and we’ll get together on the 22nd or the 23rd. It’s always nice to have the families together for Christmas Day before we get to work,” he added.
AUS vs PAK 1st Test: Pat Cummins lauds heroes
While it was an all-round showing by Australia in the AUS vs PAK 1st Test, there were indiviudal heroics that set the match for the hosts.
Usman Khawaja and David Warner set the ealry tone, posting a 126-run opening stand in the first innings. David Warner went on to score 164 in his penultimate Test. As a result, Australia scored 346/5 on Day 1 alone, derailing Pakistan’s comeback hopes.
“That was huge. His (Warner) and Uzzy’s partnership at the start really set it up for us. To get 350 odd on the first day, we were really ahead of the game from the first day,” Pat Cummins added.
On Day 2, it was Mitchell Marsh who plundered the toothless Pakistani bowling attack to take Australia to 487.
“He’s one of the favourites of the West. He (Marsh) is also one of my favourites. It’s great to see him back in Australia and playing a Test after six years,” Cummins said after AUS vs PAK 1st Test.
And on Day 4, it was a demolition job by Australian bowlers. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood rattled Pakistani batters with pace and bounce. There were no partnerships as Pakistan surrendered to the hosts. Nathan Lyon then finished the job with two wickets to enter history books.
The Australian off-spinner became eighth bowler in history to bag 500 Test wickets and only third Australian to do so.
“500 Test wickets around the world is huge. I couldn’t be happier for him. He was out for six months with a calf injury and it’s great to see him back,” Pat Cummins signed off.
Editors pick
