‘Mind now switches to the red ball’ - Pat Cummins leaves Australia ODI camp for BGT preparations

Australia suffered an embarrassing nine-wicket defeat to Pakistan in the second ODI at Adelaide Oval. The hosts failed to make a mark with the bat, scoring only 163 runs in the first innings. Senior batter Steve Smith scored 35 runs, while all the other players scored in 10s or in single digits. For Pakistan, Haris Rauf wreaked havoc, picking up a five-wicket haul, while Shaheen Afridi clinched three.

Pakistan batters dominated in the second innings. Saim Ayub made 82 runs off 71 deliveries, while Abdullah Shafique remained unbeaten for 64 runs. Courtesy of their sensational performance, Pakistan sealed a comfortable win to lock the series 1-1. Reflecting on the performance after the game, captain Pat Cummins stated that it wasn’t their best days on the field and would have liked it if the batters had contributed more.

“Wasn't one of our best days. They (Pakistan) bowled well, but we should have done better and scored more than 160. There was a bit seam around there. We tried to attack (with some close-in fielders) but it wasn't to be,” Cummins said at the post-match presentation.

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Meanwhile, the Test players will leave the Australian camp ahead of the third ODI. They will enjoy a week’s break before regrouping again ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, slated to begin on November 22 in Perth. In Cummins’ absence, Josh Inglis will be leading the team. Meanwhile, speaking on their preparations for the five-match India series, the 31-year-old commented that they need good training sessions and that the focus will now stitch to Test cricket.

“We have a week at home. Good training sessions needed, mind now switches to the red ball,” Cummins said.

Meanwhile, Xavier Doherty, Lance Morris and Spencer Johnson will replace the pace trio of Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in the squad. Josh Philippe has also been added.