Australia vs Pakistan: Pat Cummins, the Australia skipper, started 2024 with a bang as he managed to pick up yet another 5-wicket haul against Pakistan on Day 1 of today’s 3rd and final test match against Pakistan at the SCG. Today’s 5-wicket haul was the third consecutive 5-wicket haul for Cummins after his 10-wicket match in the second test match of the 3-match Test Series against Pakistan.
Skipper Cummins introduced himself into the attack in the 9th over, and he managed to dismiss the former Pakistan captain Babar Azam (26 runs) with an unplayable in-swinger in his 2nd over as the Men in Green managed to score just 39 runs and lost 3 wickets in the first 11 overs of the 3rd Test. Openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique were dismissed for ducks by the duo of Josh Hazelwood and Mitchell Starc, as the top order was not able to support Shan Masood’s decision to bat first at the SCG.
Cummins then dismissed Saud Shakeel (5 runs) and Mohammed Rizwan (88 runs) as Rizwan fell short of just 12 runs from becoming the first wicketkeeper from Pakistan to score a century on Australian soil in the longest format of the game. The 30-year-old then dismissed Sajid Khan (15 runs) and Hasan Ali for a duck to complete his 12th 5-wicket haul and his third consecutive 5-wicket haul.
The Aussie captain became the first Aussie bowler since Nathan Lyon to pick up three consecutive 5-wicket hauls in Test cricket. Cummins equalled Mitchell Johnson in the list of Aussie Seamers who have taken the most 5-wicket hauls.
Highest Number of 5 Wicket Hauls for Australia in Test Cricket
- Glenn Mcgrath: 29
- Denis Lillee: 23
- Graham Mckenzie: 16
- Terry Alderman: 14
- Alan Davidson: 14
- Craig Mcdermott: 14
- Mitchell Starc: 14
- Pat Cummins: 12
- Mitchell Johnson: 12
Pat Cummins had a pretty good 2023 as a skipper, as he led the Australian team to their first ever World Test Championship title in 2023 against India. He also guided Australia to retain the Ashes against England last year, which ended in a 2-2 draw. The main achievement of Pat Cummins, the captain, was the victory against India in last year’s 2023 ODI World Cup final, as the Aussies lifted their 6th World Cup Trophy.
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