Aussie coach addresses claims Pat Cummins 'will resign' after Ashes

Aussie coach Andrew McDonald has hit back at an explosive suggestion that Pat Cummins "will resign" as captain after the Ashes series. Victorian cricket great Darren Berry made the bombshell prediction during the drawn fourth Test at Old Trafford after England plundered a mammoth 592 first innings runs and Cummins' captaincy came under renewed fire.

Cummins was panned for supposedly losing the plot with his captaincy and tactics after chopping and changing in the field and resorting to a short-ball strategy that was punished by the hosts. Cummins' return of 1-129 at 5.6 an over also marked the most expensive innings of his Test career, as both Zak Crawley (189 off 182 balls) and Jonny Bairstow (99 not out) went after him to brutal effect.

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The Aussie skipper was also accused of being rattled by England's all-out attack when he dropped a regulation catch. Australia' persistence with their unpopular short-ball tactic was slammed around the cricket world, with Berry describing it as "unwatchable" and "absolutely insane" during a Twitter rant in which he also predicted Cummins would stand down as skipper after the series.

Australia coach throws support behind Pat Cummins

McDonald admits the comments from Berry filtered into the Aussie camp but says suggestions Cummins would stand down as skipper are "far-fetched" and threw his backing behind the under-fire quick. "I was across those comments from Darren. They were most interesting," McDonald said ahead of the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval, starting on Thursday.

"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 are opinions that we respect and opinions that we don't."

Cummins' tactics have come under fire throughout the series, with Aussie greats Ricky Ponting, Mark Waugh and Mark Taylor among those to question the captain. The most common criticism has surrounded Cummins' defensive field settings, short-ball barrages and use of spin throughout the series but the skipper is adamant he is not overburdened with the captaincy, as well as his bowling workload.

Under Cummins' leadership Australia has won 11 Tests and lost four, claiming the World Test Championship against India and retaining the Ashes for good measure. However, the Aussies will know tactics need to change for the fifth and final Test at The Oval if they are to secure their first series victory in England in 22 years. Either a win or a draw will be enough for Australia's first series win in England since 2001.

Aussies ready to 'own' fourth Test mistakes

McDonald conceded his side's plans had unravelled with the ball as Crawley and Bairstow found boundaries at will in Manchester. The coach remains convinced Australia have been the better team in the first four Tests though and suggests they'll make a few tweaks heading into the showdown at The Oval.

"We'll revisit those plans and the way that we go about it and the personnel that we pick to execute those plans," McDonald said. "It was a disappointing three days or so. We're not going to shy away from that. We own it.

"The way that Zak came out and put pressure on us, you've got to give some credit to the opposition as well. But this team's played some great cricket over the last eight months. So to judge us on three days would be very harsh."

The Aussies could also be forced into some personnel changes for the fifth Test, with injury clouds having over Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Starc. Marsh reportedly pulled up a "little bit sore" after being taken off the field in the fourth Test, while Starc injured his shoulder in the outfield. Both will be assessed, with a decision on their inclusion to be made later in the week.

McDonald has indicated the Aussies could use Marsh as a specialist batter, with all-rounder Cameron Green offering another pace option to go with three frontline fast bowlers. Off-spinner Todd Murphy is also vying for a recall to the Aussie XI at The Oval, which has typically suited spinners in the past. The in-form Michael Neser could also be another pace option depending on Starc's fitness and whether selectors opt to go for his swing bowling and proven batting ability.

with agencies

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