Legend defends Cummins despite Aussie drought

2 years ago 386

Former Test skipper Mark Taylor has fixed Pat Cummins a tick of support aft his archetypal tricky time arsenic Australia's Test skipper.

Despite finishing the archetypal innings 278 runs up of England, Cummins' broadside has a combat connected its hands aft a monster 159-run basal from England skipper Joe Root and Dawid Malan.

Despite the adversity faced by Australia, Taylor was impressed by Cummins' absorption of his onslaught precocious connected Day 3.

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"This was ever going to beryllium the hardest clip - erstwhile you're trying to find wickets connected level pitches, and this is erstwhile it's harder for a fast-bowling captain, and he's been precise unfastened astir that," Taylor told Wide World of Sports.

"But I similar the information that helium bowled himself precocious connected time three, looking for a wicket. Because what we don't privation to spot is Pat not bowling himself enough, he's the fig 1 Test bowler."

England got to stumps astatine 2-220, with Root and Malan some closing successful connected centuries.

"Two down astatine stumps is simply a truly bully effort - and I thought Hameed was a small spot unlucky also. That was 1 of those dismissals that conscionable happens sometimes astatine the Gabba," Taylor said of England's response.

Although mysteries astir Josh Hazlewood's lack successful the last league remain, Taylor praised Cummins self-belief and his willingness to stock the shot around.

"It was ever going to beryllium a spot harder today, but I deliberation he's done everything helium could person done," Taylor said.

"I similar the information that helium tried Labuschagne for a fewer overs, helium did that astatine the close time. He got Nathan Lyon into the onslaught aboriginal on, which I liked, but unluckily he's not been capable to get a wicket from either of his spinners, which is the worrying happening from an Australian constituent of view."

Like astir fans, Taylor was wondering wherefore Hazlewood was not featuring towards the extremity of the day.

"The lone astonishment is that Hazlewood's lone bowled 8 overs. I don't truly cognize wherefore Josh didn't vessel successful the past session, I don't cognize if there's an wounded - he's been retired successful the tract truthful I don't spot immoderate crushed why," helium said.

"The information that he's lone bowled 8 erstwhile Pat and Starcy person bowled successful the teens is simply a small surprising, but that tin sometimes beryllium the mode it goes."

Mitchell Starc and Cummins took 1 wicket apiece successful a frustrating time for the Australians, arsenic Nathan Lyon inactive chases that elusive 400th wicket.

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"What we're seeing astatine the infinitesimal is that Nathan can't look to get the breakthrough, which is what you truly privation from your spinner, peculiarly connected time 3 oregon four," Taylor said.

"There's not a batch of turn, but there's a small bit. And what you're hoping for is simply a mates of wickets - you're not expecting him to vessel you to triumph similar connected a turning SCG transportation connected time five, but astatine the infinitesimal things aren't going for Nathan Lyon.

"He looks to maine similar he's bowling going alright - he's beating the bat enough. Dawid Malan a mates of times, went past the extracurricular edge, but helium conscionable can't look to get that fortunate break."

Taylor said that wide Lyon's signifier wasn't a interest and that erstwhile helium got that much-discussed 400th scalp, the wickets could travel aft that.

"All of a abrupt helium could person 403 Test wickets alternatively than 399," helium said.

"He's conscionable got to enactment patient, support bowling well, and anticipation that the gods look kindly upon him and his luck changes a small bit."

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