Cummins overlooked for new ball duties as Aussies keep faith in Starc
Australia captain Tim Paine has resisted calls to throw in-form destroyer Pat Cummins the new rock against Sri Lanka, instead opting to persist with misfiring Mitchell Starc.
Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Warne’s wrath: Starc, Uzzie, selectors in firing line
Tim Paine has resolved to change his coin toss technique but insists he won’t take the new ball away from Mitchell Starc.
Test greats led by Fox Cricket commentators Shane Warne and Michael Vaughan have demanded in-form destroyer Pat Cummins be given the new rock against Sri Lanka in Canberra following Starc’s inconsistent struggles this summer.
However, the Australian captain is refusing to budge in his steadfast belief that it’s only a matter of time until Starc strikes gold.
Paine said he will get the world’s No.3 ranked bowler Cummins into the attack as early as he can, but is still backing in Starc and rookie Jhye Richardson as his first-choice opening strike weapons.
Cummins might be the best bowler in the team, but it doesn’t mean he should open, according to Australia.
“No I don’t think (it will change). I think Jhye bowled beautifully with it and we’ve used Starcy for a long time with the new ball and we think he is still our best new-ball bowler when he gets it right,” said Paine, who confirmed an unchanged team for the second Test at Manuka Oval.
“We’ll always give (Starc) the first few.
“Hopefully he can swing a few and if he does we know he is more than likely to get an early breakthrough.
“What we have done is brought Pat on a lot earlier than what we have done in the past.”
All-round hopeful Marcus Stoinis had a lengthy and at times animated chat with coach Justin Langer and selector Greg Chappell at Australia’s final training session, before Paine confirmed that the team would remain unchanged.
“Coming off a good win we are happy with our combination,” said Paine, who also confirmed the batting order will remain with Kurtis Patterson at No.6.
“This pitch is probably slightly different we just think that we’ll be able to get more overs out of Marnus (Labuschagne’s leg-spin) on a pitch like this.”
The toss is unlikely to matter against a stricken Sri Lankan team, but Paine’s record is now seven losses from his eight coin flips as Australian skipper.
Against India, Australia lost the three Tests where Paine lost the toss, and won when he flipped right - for the one and only time in his career - in Perth.
In England, former Ashes hero Vaughan says the toss will again decide most matches.
South African captain Faf du Plessis once sent JP Duminy out to do the toss on his behalf after a shocking run of losses.
Australian women’s skipper Meg Lanning has also gone through frustrating droughts and taken advice from teammates.
Paine admits he has to change something in his toss.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do. I can guarantee I will try something different tomorrow,” he said.
“I might go left-hand. I do need to try something. I can’t keep doing the same thing and getting the same results. I need to change.”
Every Test, ODI & T20I live, ad-break free during play and in 4K. Only on Foxtel. SIGN UP NOW!
Originally published as Cummins overlooked for new ball duties as Aussies keep faith in Starc
Moral hypocrites England decide tons are anti-cricket
The new tough-talking, pot-stirring English cricket team is suffering from a baffling identity crisis on the eve of the Ashes tour, going into meltdown after two Indian batters had the audacity to tell them ‘no’.
England’s appalling display mars absolute Test classic
England’s display in the Test classic against India was appalling, and unsportsmanlike, writes Peter Jenkins. It just makes the upcoming Ashes more appealing.