‘Mind turns to red ball’: Pat Cummins eyes Border-Gavaskar Trophy vs India

Australian captain Pat Cummins is gearing up for the much-awaited contest of the year – the five-Test Board-Gavaskar Trophy series against India – after suffering a mega nine-wicket loss against Pakistan in the second ODI at the Adelaide Oval here on Friday . Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf’s fiery five-wicket haul set the Australian batsmen on their home turf to bundle them out for 163 all out in 35 overs. Fellow pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed figures of 3-26 in his eight overs to further stamp their fast bowling dominance on seam-friendly and bouncy Australian pitches.

In reply, openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique set the visitors off to a perfect start with the 137-run partnership. Ayum, who was at his best in the attacks, hammered 82 off 71 balls with six sixes and five fours before spinner Adam Zampa claimed the only wicket of Pakistan’s innings in the 21st over. Babar Azam (15 not out) and Shafique, who scored an unbeaten 64 including four fours and three sixes, guided the side to a resounding nine-wicket win to level the three-match series 1-1.

Australia will be without the services of their senior players including captain Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith for the series decider in Perth on Sunday.

Cummins, who bowled seven overs and went wicketless, acknowledged Australia’s shortcomings in the game, particularly in batting and reflected on their poor show with the bat. “It wasn’t one of our best days. They bowled well but we should have done better and scored more than 160. There was a bit of seaming around. We tried to attack (with some close fielders) but it was not ‘t to be,” said the pacer in the post-match presentation.

In Cummins’ absence, wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis will lead the team in Perth as the BGT-bound side prepare for the India challenge and shift focus to the red-ball format. “I will leave it to him (Inglis), he has some experience. So let him be. We have a week at home. Good training sessions needed, thoughts now shift to the red ball (for the upcoming Test series vs India),” Cummins said .

The first Test between India and Australia will be played in Perth on November 22.

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