Pat Cummins reveals Australia’s plan to stop ‘Universe Boss’
Pat Cummins says Australia has a plan to knock over West Indian masterblaster Chris Gayle, though the Australian fast bowler might want to refresh his memory on the superstar’s nickname.
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Pat Cummins might have Chris Gayle and American rapper Pitbull confused, but he is certain the West Indies can be bounced out at Trent Bridge on Thursday.
Cummins said Mitchell Starc’s 150km rockets would test 39-year-old Gayle, who barely bothers running between the wickets anymore because of his supreme ability to muscle boundaries.
“It is always a great challenge playing against ‘Mr Worldwide’, or whatever he calls himself,” Cummins said.
“He is obviously a class act and keeps hitting sixes whenever he plays.
“I’ve played against him quite a bit in T20, but never an ODI. Trent Bridge is a pretty small ground so I am sure it is going to be one of the more high scoring games.”
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While Pitbull is known as ‘Mr Worldwide’, Gayle is the self-proclaimed ‘Universe Boss’.
Australia’s last visit to Trent Bridge saw it concede a world-record 481 runs against England as Marcus Stoinis leaked 0/85 (eight overs).
But Pakistan ended an 11-game losing streak with a shock 14-run win against England at Trent Bridge on Monday.
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Unless West Indies meets Australia in the World Cup knockout stages, tomorrow night will be Gayle’s final innings against the country that unofficially barred him from competing in its Big Bash League.
Gayle has crunched 104 sixes from his past 1060 balls — clearing the rope every 10 deliveries — but has never made the Aussies blush with a century.
“The aggression we showed with lots of bouncers (against Afghanistan) and energy was really good,” Cummins said.
“With our pace and bounce, I feel like that’s (bumpers) a really good wicket-taking ball, or a dot ball, as it is going to be a risk if a batter is trying to play that every time.
“Obviously here (England) it is a bit of a bigger square, which helps. It is a weapon you have got to have as a fast bowler trying to survive here.”
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West Indies targeted Jason Behrendorff in last month’s practice match, hitting three sixes off the left-armer’s first three overs and five for the match.
Gayle did not play in that match, where an Andre Russell bouncer forced Usman Khawaja to retire hurt and go to hospital for a scan, which came back clear.
“They like taking the game on and expressing themselves with fast bowling and big hits so you have just got to be really wary about them and try and bowl as many good balls as possible,” Cummins said.
Russell is certain to be targeted with bouncers given his weakness against the short ball is known by the Australians.
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