Adelaide, Australia – December 8: Australia captain Pat Cummins expressed gratitude for having left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc in his side after the bowler’s exceptional performance helped Australia level the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India in the Pink-ball Test at Adelaide.
Starc and Cummins wreaked havoc with the pink ball, dismantling India’s batting lineup with relentless short-pitched deliveries and consistency even as the ball aged. Starc shone in the first innings, claiming an impressive 6/48, while Cummins led the charge in the second innings, taking 5/57 in a devastating 14-over spell.
Starc’s brilliance reinforced his reputation as a day-night Test maestro, taking his tally to a record 74 wickets in 13 Pink-ball matches—the most by any bowler in the format.
“Having someone like Starc is amazing. He keeps delivering time and time again, and he’s been doing it for over a decade. I feel very lucky and privileged to have him on our team,” Cummins remarked, as quoted by the ICC.
Travis Head further bolstered Australia’s victory with a counterattacking innings that put pressure back on India. The left-handed batter capitalized on short-length deliveries, showcasing remarkable strokeplay and shifting momentum in Australia’s favor.
“Every time Head walks out, the game feels like it’s in the balance. Within a session, he takes the game out of the opposition’s hands. He pressures them with his unique shots into unconventional areas,” Cummins praised.
Australia also benefitted from Scott Boland’s consistency in the absence of Josh Hazlewood, who was sidelined with a side strain. Boland proved instrumental, securing two wickets in the first innings and topping it with a three-wicket haul in the second. His precision and ability to strike at key moments filled the void left by Hazlewood.
“Scotty fits in seamlessly, always probing at the top of off. Hopefully, Josh will return for the next Test, but Scotty has been unbelievable,” Cummins added.
With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy now tied at 1-1, Australia and India will head to Brisbane for the third Test, set to begin on December 14. Both teams are gearing up for what promises to be another fiercely contested battle.
