‘Not up to standard’ - Pat Cummins after bowling most expensive spell in Test career

Australian team, under the leadership of Pat Cummins, is reliving their old glory days. Australia recently won the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 Final against India and has now retained the Ashes for the fourth consecutive time after the fourth Test at Old Trafford ended in a draw due to rain. 

Interestingly, the last game at Manchester was going towards hosts after the stumps on Day 4, with Australia on 214/5, trailing by 61 runs lead in the second innings. However, the last day was washed out with no play possible at all.

The worst phase for the Aussies in Manchester came on Day 2, when the English side was scoring more than seven runs per over with Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazelwood enduring the assault. Notably, Australian skipper Cummins ended up bowling the most expensive spell of his Test career as he gave away 129 runs in 23 overs for just one wicket. 

Captain Cummins dismisses Captain Stokes ☝

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“That two-hour block in the middle session wasn't our best," said Cummins in the post-match conference. 
"We tried to throw a few different plans at them and maybe on another day they work; a couple of the edges carry through or some of the catches go to hand, but I thought they batted well.

 "As a bowler it's frustrating that I didn't bowl very well at all, not up to the standards I try and keep myself to. Just execution. I let through more boundaries than I normally do. Probably just one or two bad balls an over,” said the Australian skipper.

"I don't know (why) really. Rhythm felt pretty good, I felt like I was pretty clear in my own mind with plans, so I don't know,” he answered when asked if leadership is a burden for him. 

Australia's batting was not too pleasing in both the innings, with batters throwing away wickets at crucial moments. The Pat Cummins-led side was bowled out for 317, and apart from Marnus Labuschagne (51 & 111) no other batter performed well at the Old Trafford.

Speaking of the Ashes 2023, the England team will surely be looking to level up the series by winning the fifth and final Test at the Oval, while the Aussies will be looking to end the series on a 3-1 mark.