Coach Andrew McDonald backs Pat Cummins: ‘There’s opinions we respect and opinions we don’t’

Australian coach Andrew McDonald defends under siege skipper amid criticism of team’s ‘unwatchable’ performance and questionable tactics.

Australian captain Pat Cummins (right) speaks with coach Andrew McDonald before the Fourth Test at Old Trafford. Picture: Getty Images

Coach Andrew McDonald has defended Pat Cummins, brutally dismissing his critics as he revealed injury concerns for Mitchell Starc and Mitch Marsh going into the fifth Test.

The Australian captain was the target of criticism for his leadership and the side’s performances on days two and three at Old Trafford, but few went as hard as Darren Berry.

The former Victorian wicketkeeper-turned-commentator predicted Cummins would “resign from the captaincy after the Ashes series” as he described the Australians’ performance as “unwatchable”, saying: “this is absolutely insane to anyone watching this s**t with half a clue about the game”.

This is unwatchable. Goodnight to all lovers of the game of our great game of cricket. This is absolutely insane to anyone watching this shit with half a clue about the game. Enough is enough now 🙈🤷‍♂️😤 keep banging em in lads WTF

— Darren Berry (@ChuckBerry1969) July 21, 2023

Well knock me over with a feather a fast ball at the stumps to the No 11 gets him out I’m shocked. What a circus. Never seen anything like this ever.

— Darren Berry (@ChuckBerry1969) July 21, 2023

Yep I’m in bed @MervHughes332 but can’t sleep. Here is my take Pat Cummins is a magnificent cricketer no doubt but remember this msg. He will resign from the captaincy after the Ashes series. The Q is do they go back to Smudge or move forward to Head or Marsh? Ashton Turner T20👌

— Darren Berry (@ChuckBerry1969) July 21, 2023

McDonald, who also comes from Victorian cricket, was scathing in his dismissal of Berry’s criticism.

“I was across those comments from Darren,” he said. “They were most interesting.

“What I would say is leadership takes on all different shapes and forms and if we‘re living and dying in the world of tactics only, then I think it’s fair and reasonable to critique some of the execution and tactics that we implemented.

“But to go as far as suggesting that the captain resign post-series I think is a bit far fetched. There‘s opinions that we respect and opinions that we don’t.”

Former Victorian wicketkeeper Darren Berry. Picture: Valeriu Campan

McDonald believes the responsibility for tactics and performances should be shared among leaders and coaches.

“We‘re all working on the Australian cricket team together and it should never really come down to Pat as an individual but unfortunately as a captain, sometimes you wear that,” he said.

“It was a disappointing three days or so. We‘re not gonna shy away from that and we own that. England put immense pressure on us. There’s no doubt about that.

“I thought the surface on day one gave us an opportunity to put a few more runs on the board and when you sort of get behind a little bit, you‘re a little bit short, that can compound on you a little bit and I thought the way that Zak (Crawley) came out and put pressure on us, you’ve got to give some credit to the opposition as well.

“We‘ve a chance to revisit our plans, but this team’s played some great cricket over the last eight months. So to judge us on three days would be very harsh. We feel as though we’ve still got improvement, even in those first two Test matches we felt like we had some improvements to make there as well. So we’ve got capabilities to do that and that’s the exciting and pleasing part of it.”

Talking tactics … Australian captain Pat Cummins (left) and coach Andrew McDonald. Picture: Getty Images

McDonald revealed injury concerns to both Starc and Marsh which could have an impact on the XI for Thursday’s last Test.

Starc hurt his shoulder twice during the game and looked in a lot of trouble after one incident but returned to bowl.

“So two separate incidents where he dived and landed on the point of his shoulder,” McDonald said. “I think he stirred up his AC joint – don‘t quote me on that, I’m not a medical person – and then the other one he slipped down on the rope and sort of extended the shoulder joint. So yeah, he’s looking worse for wear and a little bit sore. All indications are that he’ll be right to go but that’ll be assessed.”

Mitchell Starc clutches his shoulder during the Fourth Test. Picture: AFP

Marsh failed to take the field for the first hour of the third day’s play and will be assessed before the final Test.

“He‘s a little bit sore, hence why he was off the field,” McDonald said. “I’m not going to hide that. As to what extent that’ll be assessed over the next couple of days.

“Does it impact his position in the team? I think the team has played three quicks and one spinner and we have gone that way numerous times in the past. We have had the luxury of all-rounders, or in particular Cameron Green, that‘s changed the shape of the team over time. I mean, runs were premium first and foremost.”

Cummins looked exhausted on the field in the first innings but McDonald said the seamers would all be better for the rain which gave them the last two days off.

McDonald did not rule out bringing in Michael Neser to freshen up the bowling attack and add depth with his batting. The quick, who has played two Tests for Australia, scored back-to-back centuries for Glamorgan in recent weeks.

“Everyone‘s on the table, every selection and Michael knows that,” he said. “He was a serious consideration here and he was under consideration at Leeds also so you’re always sort of balancing those who are up and running in the series versus freshness. And I think that the media at times has critiqued the fact that players haven’t played for a certain amount of time and now we’re talking about players coming in fresh. I think it’s great.”