AUS vs IND, 1st Test: IPL auction won’t be a distraction, says Cummins

Australia will be without its assistant coach Daniel Vettori, who was granted permission to leave the Perth Test and be at the two-day auction with his IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Australia’s captain Pat Cummins speaks during a press conference at the Optus Stadium in Perth. | Photo Credit: AFP

There is a quiet confidence innate to Pat Cummins. Striding into the press conference hall wearing his worn-out baggy green cap at the Optus Stadium here on Thursday, the Australian skipper hoped that his men would wrest back the elusive Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

There were also moments when the brotherhood of fast bowlers was on view as he praised his counterpart Jasprit Bumrah. Ahead of the first Test against India here from Friday, Cummins extensively spoke to the media.

Excerpts..

The trophy that matters

“For about half in the change room, we haven’t won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, so it’s one of the last things to tick off. With every challenge that was thrown at us over the last few years we have stepped up and done well. We know India is right up there with one of the best teams in the world, so we are excited.”

Fast bowling captains

“Yeah, it is great to see and should happen more. In the New Zealand series last year, it was good with Tim Southee as captain. I don’t think it really changes too much again, but it’s one of those rare things. So, yeah, looking forward to seeing how he (Bumrah) goes about his work out there. As a fan of fast bowling, it’s always good to see.”

A rather new-look Indian team

“We make plans for a whole squad. India has got a lot of depth. Most of us have played the IPL and seen how newcomers step up straight away. They are missing a couple of guys we are more familiar with, but we know whoever they pick is going to be good enough for Test cricket.”

Surface-tension

“The pitch looks good with an even coverage of grass. You know, it always looks really good here.”

Nitish Kumar Reddy

“Loved playing alongside Nitish. He is a great young guy starting out on his professional career. I am impressed with how he went about his work. He can swing the ball a little bit.”

IPL Auction

“I don’t think so. Most of the guys have been in auctions before. The reality is you can’t really do anything.”