Pat Cummins is on the peak of his powers.
The Australian captain produced an outstanding show of bowling to guide his aspect to a collection win over Pakistan and edge greater in Test cricket’s document books.
Australia defeated Pakistan by 79 runs within the Boxing Day Test to take an unassailable 2-0 collection lead and retain the Benaud-Qadir Trophy. And they largely have Cummins to thank.
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Cummins completed with 10 wickets for the match, turning into the primary Australian captain since Allan Border to take 10 wickets in a Test and the primary Aussie bowler to take 10 scalps on the MCG since 1991.
He stored Australia within the sport on Day 2 with key wickets and as soon as once more stood up when his staff was determined for a breakthrough on Day 4 as Pakistan threatened to drag off an upset.
Set a goal of 317 to win, Pakistan had been in putting distance when Babar Azam (54) and Mohammad Rizwan (42) diminished the deficit to lower than 100 runs.
But Captain Pat pulled the momentum again in Australia’s favour, dismissing Rizwan with a bouncer that caught the wristband hooked up to his glove. It was given not out however the Aussies efficiently reviewed the choice.
The controversial dismissal has infuriated the Pakistan camp nevertheless it was a clutch wicket by the Aussie captain.
Cummins struck once more in fast succession, tearing via Pakistan’s line-up earlier than Mitchell Starc sealed victory with two wickets in two balls.
Cummins completed with figures of 5/48 within the first innings and 5/49 within the second innings. He was deservedly named participant of the match.
His 10-wicket haul noticed the Aussie skipper surpass Richie Benaud into tenth on the record of Australia’s all-time main wicket-takers in Test cricket.
Cummins now has 252 wickets from 57 Test matches at a exceptional common of twenty-two.32.
In comparability, Glenn McGrath completed his profession with 563 wickets from 124 matches at a median of 21.64.
According stats guru @sirswampthing, Cummins ended Benaud’s 24,041-day streak of being inside Australia’s prime 10 wicket takers.
Cummins’ supply that clear bowled Babar Azam within the first innings will go straight onto his spotlight reel alongside the jaffa that dismissed Joe Root within the 2019 Ashes.
Cricket pundits had been in awe of Cummins’ skill to take key wickets simply when Australia want it, and had been filled with reward for his ever enhancing tactical sense as a captain.
Cricket broadcaster Bharat Sundaresan tweeted: “For such a nice fellow, Pat Cummins is also the grinch for those who dare to dream about miracle wins for the opposition.
“Every time Pakistan have looked like having a chance, he’s come on & shut them up.”
Cummins’ heroics means he has accomplished a close to excellent 2023 with Australia profitable the World Test Championship, retaining the Ashes, profitable the ODI World Cup and now taking a 2-0 collection lead.
The Australia vs Pakistan Test collection concludes with the third Test on the SCG starting on Wednesday 3 January.
Originally printed as Pat Cummins breaks Richie Benaud’s 24,041-day document with heroics in Test win
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
