"Might be tightly held until the last game" - Pat Cummins expects a closely fought Test series against Team India this summer
Australian captain Pat Cummins has suggested that the upcoming home Test series against Team India will be a hard-fought one and predicts it to be alive until the final game. The right-arm speedster recalled being part of the last two home series and pointed to the attrition factor.
Team India will arrive on Australian shores to defend their Border-Gavaskar Trophy, having held it since the 2014-15 series. The tourists have also won the last two series Down Under and are aiming for a third win, with pressure on Cummins to regain it for Australia.
Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, Cummins underlined that the hard-fought nature of the clash means Australia have to manage their resources well. He said:
"The couple of home series I’ve played against India there’s always an element of attrition on them. The last series came down to the last session at the Gabba on the last day of the last Test match.
"That’s a good thing to keep in mind; it is a long series, and it might be tightly held until the last game, so you’ve got to manage your resources throughout."
With plenty of chatter going regarding the batting line-up for the high-profile series, Cummins added:
"It’s up to me and Ron to set the order. I know there’s always commentary around everything to do with cricket. You listen to some, you don’t listen to others, but we’re still a fair way out from the series, so still a bit of water to go under the bridge."
Steven Smith's batting position has been one of the biggest talking points, given that he hasn't found success since shifting to the opening spot. With all-rounder Cameron Green unlikely to play due to back injury, Smith could return to No. 4, and the selectors could look for a specialist opener.
"I’m sure he’ll be right in the long run" - Pat Cummins on Cameron Green
Speaking about Green's injury and his chances of featuring during the summer, Cummins expressed sympathy and especially for being on the sidelines waiting to get fit. With Green likely to undergo surgery, Cummins elaborated:
"Really sympathetic. We want him bowling, Cam wants to be bowling, and he has a long career ahead of him. So it’s about trying to place Cam the cricketer in the best position he can be to have the career that he’s hoping for. He’s young, so I’m sure he’ll be right in the long run."
He added:
"Bowling and trying to bowl fast is unfortunately fraught with injuries. In some ways, the hardest thing is missing cricket and seeing games go by that you could have been part of, but also it can be a pretty lonely way back.
"It looks like Greeny is going to have that situation, which is not uncommon for him unfortunately, so he knows what needs to be done, but that doesn’t make it any easier."
The Test series begins on November 22 in Perth.