IND vs AUS Test: Pat Cummins wants ‘all-bases covered’ for India test series: Australian test skipper Pat Cummins wants all the bases covered in his squad for the upcoming marquee test series against India. The Aussies will tour India in 2023 for four test matches and the subsequent three ODIs.
Cummins reckons besides the services of frontline spinner Nathan Lyon, Aston Agar and Travis Head will also be crucial for Australia’s bowling plans against India.
“I think our squad will have basically all possibilities. It’s a big series, so we want everything at our disposal,” Pat Cummins said after the sealing 2-0 test series victory against South Africa.
Interestingly, Keeping in mind the forthcoming India tour, Australia had called-up Aston Agar for the final test against South Africa. Although the spinner remained wicketless, he gave away just 58 runs in 22 overs.
Aston Agar will be vital for Australia’s plans against the packed right-handed Indian top order. Being a left-arm spinner he can trouble the Indian batters.
“Ash will be there, a left-arm orthodox … he’ll absolutely be there,” “It wasn’t an audition at all (for the India tour). This wicket’s a bit different to India, it wasn’t really spinning out of the middle of the wicket.
“An Indian wicket sometimes really breaks up, even from the middle of the wicket, and a left-arm orthodox becomes a bit more effective against right-hand batters. I thought he did really well,” Cummins added.
While senior spinner Nathan Lyon will spearhead the spin bowling attack against India, Travis Head can prove to be a handy bowler.
“Travis is a slightly different off-spin bowler to Nath (Lyon), a bit flatter which could be really helpful over there. I’ve been really happy with how he (Head) has bowled, and probably under-bowled him even in this game.
Meanwhile, all-rounder Cameron Green, who bagged a whopping contract worth INR 17.50 Crores from Mumbai Indians in IPL 2023 Auction, is expected to recover on time for the India tour. Green suffered a finger fracture injury during the recent South Africa series.
“Cam Green bats at six, so you’ve got three quick bowlers which is a bit of luxury as it is,” Pat Cummins said.
“He showed his class (taking five wickets at the MCG) so no qualms picking him – you know what you’re going to get, and it’s quality.”
Notably, the Australia tour of India 2023 will kickstart with four match test series in Nagpur on February 9th. Following the completion of the red-ball series, the two teams will gear up for the three games ODI series, which will begin on March 17 in Mumbai.
