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Australia's captain Pat Cummins criticised commentators for feeding false narratives regarding cracks in the Australian locker room. Cummins was asked about the apparent rift in the team's dressing room several times during his pre-match news conference in Adelaide on Thursday, December 5, and calmly answered all the questions. Notably, Australia are set to host India for the second game of the BGT series from December 6 at The Adelaide Oval. On the eve of the day/night Test, the fast bowler addressed the media and hit out at commentators for false claims regarding Australian dressing room.
On Day 3 of the Perth Test match, commentators Adam Gilchrist and Sunil Gavaskar caught up on Josh Hazlewood's comments where he claimed the Australian batting line-up for their poor performance at the Optus Stadium in the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy match. Hazlewood blamed the hitters after India set a big 534-run goal in Perth, and he asked journalists to quiz the batters about how the squad should turn their fortunes around in the Test. Australia were bowled out for 104 and 238 in their two innings, with 'Player of the Match' and India's stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah taking 8 for 72.
Some commentators got it hundred per cent wrong: Pat Cummins
Australia's poor all-round performance during the Perth Test, combined with fast bowler Josh Hazlewood's comments, prompted former India coach and all-rounder Ravi Shastri to declare that "there are some mental cracks" in the Australian team. To add more, Australia's former cricketer, Gilchrist, who was calling the game for the broadcaster, described Hazlewood's comments as unusual. Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary cricketer, had also spoken up, claiming that there was a rift in the Australian dressing room.
However, Cummins finally broke his silence and ridiculed claims made by multiple commentators. "The team's great. Some of the commentators got it a hundred per cent wrong. We prepared like we always do. It's a great feeling around the team. When things don't go right, there are enough commentators who will support you but some who will try and create headlines. We try not to notice those things. We try to concentrate our focus on how we prepare, give ourselves the best chance to win the games," Pat Cummins said in the press conference.
He will be required at some point: Pat Cummins shares updates on Mitchell Marsh
Since Hazlewood is going through an injury, the Australian skipper chose to make one alteration to the squad. Scott Boland, recognised for his remarkable ball accuracy, was reintroduced into the lineup. Cummins also offered an update on Mitchell Marsh's fitness, noting that Australia wants the bowler to rest for the next few days.
"We have made the call with the medical team to give him another couple of days off bowling. Expecting him to warm up only in case he is required to bowl. I am guessing he will be required at some point," Cummins said.
The second Test, a day-night game, begins at the Adelaide Oval on December 6.
