Pat Cummins hits out at commentators for creating headlines using Josh Hazlewood-OxBig News Network

Australia captain Pat Cummins slammed some of the commentators for stoking fire in the Australian dressing room. Cummins was asked about the alleged rift in the side’s dressing room multiple times during his pre-match press conference in Adelaide on Thursday, 5 December, and patiently replied to all the questions that were asked to him.

Commentators including Adam Gilchrist and Sunil Gavaskar had picked up on Josh Hazlewood’s comments on Day 3 of the Perth Test match, where the pacer had bashed the Australian batting line-up for their poor show at the Optus Stadium in the opening match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Hazlewood had pinned the blame on the batters after India put up a massive 534-run target in Perth and asked the journalists to question the batters on how the team should turn their fortunes around in the Test match.

Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Full Coverage

Gilchrist, who was calling the game for the broadcaster had remarked Hazlewood’s statements as uncharacteristic. Legendary Sunil Gavaskar had chimed in as well, alleging that there was a rift in the Australia dressing room.

Speaking at the press conference, Cummins said that there were multiple commentators who got the whole situation wrong and slammed them for trying to create headlines using Josh Hazlewood’s name.

“The team’s great. Some of the commentators got it a hundred per cent wrong. We prepared like we always do. It’s a great feeling around the team. When things don’t go right, there are enough commentators who will support you but some that will try and create headlines. We try not to notice those things. We try to concentrate our focus on how we prepare, give ourselves the best chance to win the games,” Pat Cummins said.

Australia vs India, Adelaide pink-ball Test: All you need to know

Mitchell Marsh Fitness

The Australia captain decided to make one change in the side due to the injury of Hazlewood. The team brought back Scott Boland in the line-up, who is well-known for his exceptional accuracy with the ball. Cummins also gave an update on Mitchell Marsh’s fitness stating that Australia would not want him to bowl in the next couple of days.

“We have made the call with the medical team to give him another couple of days off bowling. Expecting him to warm-up only in case he is required to bowl. I am guessing he will be required at some point,” Cummins said.

Australia Been Under Pressure Before

Australia are 0-1 down in the Test series after the first Test and will get knocked out of the World Test Championship Final race if they get whitewashed by India. With the Australian batting line-up in tatters in Perth, the team is under pressure ahead of the pink ball Test match. The captain was asked about the mental challenge going into the Test match. Cummins called upon their experience from the ODI World Cup 2023 where they had lost their first two matches of the tournament, and replied to the query by stating that they had been in similar situations before.

“When you are playing at home, any Test match will give pressure. When you are down, there is a little bit more. We have been in similar situations before, whether it is World Cups or other series, where you are in must-win situations. We are not there yet at the moment. We love playing here, we love playing in Australia. We know that we were not at our best last week, we know things that we had to work on. Excited for the last 4 Test matches. Everyone in this team has got personal pride, professional pride,”

Cummins concluded the press conference by speaking about his own bowling, and stating that he was happy with his rhythm, despite having a poor outing in Perth.

“I was happy with the way I bowled. I felt that it came out (of the hand) all right. In the second innings, I tried a few more things. But ya, overall I think I am happy with my rhythm,” Cummins concluded.

Tune In