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Cummins savours ‘dream start’

AFP . Brisbane
09 Dec 2021 00:00:00 | Update: 09 Dec 2021 04:51:42
Cummins savours ‘dream start’

Pat Cummins took five wickets in a scintillating start to his captaincy as Australia routed England for 147 on the opening day of the Ashes at the Gabba on Wednesday.

After England skipper Joe Root won the toss and opted to bat, the Australian pace bowling trio of Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood ran riot to bundle the tourists out in just 50.1 overs.

Cummins, in his first game as Test captain since taking over from Tim Paine, claimed 5-38, while Starc took 2-35 and Hazlewood 2-42 as the English batters failed to adapt to the bounce and movement of a Gabba green top.

“It was a dream start really -- it wasn’t a bad toss to lose and I thought we all bowled really well and did our jobs,” Cummins said. 

“To keep them to 150 was a tremendous start. I was really proud of how consistent and composed everyone was. Personally, it was nice to get a couple of wickets at the end to make it a five-for.”

England batsman Ollie Pope said England had failed to adapt to the conditions swiftly enough.

“They bowled very well and the steepness of the bounce you get at the Gabba. “It’s probably the adjustments you have to make on a day-one Gabba pitch that we didn’t make quickly enough,” Pope said. 

“I think it will quicken up and the nicks will definitely carry so if we put it in the right areas early, hopefully we can make some early inroads,” he said.

 

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