Captain Pat Cummins emphasized the significance of providing rest to bowlers during Test matches for the team’s success. England’s aggressive approach does not allow much respite for their bowlers. In the first Test, the English bowlers were in action for all five days, albeit with only four overs on Day 1. In contrast, Australia’s batting style allows their bowlers to take breaks while keeping the opposition bowlers on the field for longer durations.
Hence, in the ongoing Ashes Test at Edgbaston, Australia emerged victorious by a narrow two-wicket margin, with their scoring rates at 3.32 and 3.04 in the two innings, respectively. On the other hand, England employed their renowned ‘Bazball’ tactics, scoring at rates of 5.03 and 4.11.
Leading the way for Australia, Usman Khawaja played a resilient innings of 141 runs off 321 balls in the first innings and a crucial 65 runs off 197 balls in the second. While the debate over the correct batting approach continues, Australia’s 1-0 lead in the series provides them with a great deal of confidence in their Ashes retention aspirations.
Pat Cummins said:
“I’ve played a lot of Tests back-to-back and you certainly feel much fresher when in the first Test match, you’ve had a big gap in between both innings or you only bowled 30 as opposed to 40, 50. Our number one goal when we go out there is to score runs and it doesn’t matter how long it takes.”
It’s a huge privilege captaining him [Nathan Lyon]: Pat Cummins
Cummins further stated:
“It’s a huge privilege captaining him, it’s so easy – just chuck him down one end and he basically just bowls all day. In all conditions, being one of the four bowlers that get picked is just hugely impressive. Just the way he’s a man for all conditions, keeps getting better, so reliable.”
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