Australia Off to Dream Start in World Test Championship, Captain Cummins Says

Pat Cummins, the captain of the Australian cricket team, has expressed his satisfaction with his team's performance at the beginning of the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. After securing a decisive series victory against the West Indies in Grenada, Australia has won its first two Test matches in this fresh cycle, demonstrating their determination to reach the WTC Final for the third consecutive time.

Cummins celebrates the series win in Grenada. © AFP

"It's not easy to win away from home, so we're really pleased with how we responded after Lord's (WTC Final)," Cummins stated following the Grenada Test. "It's been a productive couple of weeks. With a pink ball Test coming up next week, it's great to have already secured the series. These matches always present unique challenges. It's a dream start, winning two out of two, which puts us in a strong position in the cycle. We've played some excellent cricket."

Cummins also acknowledged the significant contributions of his team's seasoned players, particularly highlighting Steve Smith's crucial half-century. Smith's innings proved vital in rescuing the team from a precarious situation in the second innings, when they were at 28/3 with a lead of just 61 runs. "Experience plays a crucial role. We discussed the importance of having someone like Steve Smith in the team," Cummins noted. "Even if he hadn't played in Grenada, he has played on numerous wickets where you have to find unconventional ways to score. It might not involve powerful drives down the ground, but rather grinding your way to a 50. I believe that comes with experience."

He further added, "With experience, you've encountered many of the same challenges before, and you possess a level of composure that enables you to navigate through the problem. As a captain, it simplifies my job knowing that I have a team of settled players."

The 32-year-old captain also voiced his support for young opener Sam Konstas, who has struggled to make a significant impact in the series, scoring only 33 runs in four innings. "Every innings feels incredibly important," he said regarding Konstas. "But the statistics show that even the best batters in the world don't achieve their average three out of four times. You're more likely to fail than succeed."

"As long as you learn quickly, move effectively, and give yourself the best opportunity, you should continue to build on that and evaluate yourself after a series or so, rather than after each innings."

Another opener facing scrutiny in the series is former West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite. Despite his past achievements, Brathwaite's 100th Test was not particularly successful. His recent scores of 4, 4, 0, and 7 have led head coach Daren Sammy to consider his future in the next game. "He hasn't looked in good form this series, and in a team seeking performances, we are getting close to considering whether to give someone else a chance," Sammy said. "But we will have a thorough discussion about that particular situation involving myself, the selection group, and the captain himself."

Sammy also admitted that the pitches in the Caribbean need improvement to produce better Test batters. "It's challenging to develop the quality of batters needed to compete," he observed. "When you look at the surfaces we play on, it's difficult."

"If you look at all the averages, we barely have players averaging over 40 in (first-class) cricket. These types of pitches make it difficult to develop technically sound players because there's always uncertainty and doubt. Ideally, we want our players to perform because of their abilities, not in spite of the conditions. This is something that myself, the director of cricket, and the franchise system have been closely examining to try to change, sending head groundsmen around to create wickets that allow batters to trust their techniques. We also have some technical deficiencies that persist from the Under-19 and youth levels up to the national team."