Pat Cummins shuts down England claims as legend talks up Ashes chances
One particular reporter was ruthlessly put in his place by the Aussie cricket captain.
Pat Cummins has dispatched England's Ashes hype for six, with the Aussie skipper shutting down a cricket reporter in another memorable press conference moment. It comes after England great Michael Vaughan talked up his side's chances after the thrilling three-wicket victory at Headingley left the series delicately poised at 2-1.
Cummins has been in fine form during his press conferences this series, joking with one reporter over the Jonny Bairstow furore after the second Test when asked if fans could expect Mankads or even some underarm deliveries at Headingley. The Aussie skipper was at it again after speaking with reporters ahead of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, which gets underway on July 19.
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There is a growing sense among England supporters that the momentum of the series has shifted in favour of the hosts after Australia missed a chance in Leeds to wrap up their first Ashes series victory in England since 2001. Cummins, however, is not even close to entertaining such a notion.
Cummins was asked by an English journalist: “As the series heads to Manchester, do you fear maybe momentum has shifted in England’s favour?” The Aussie captain's response was a brutal illustration of the mentality his side will take to Manchester. “Not really, no.”
When asked "why not" by the same reporter, the Aussie captain's answer was simple: “2-1”. The cheeky grin on Cummins' face as he silenced England's new-found confidence said it all. Cummins then explained that ""every Test you start from fresh" and denied the loss at Headingley threatened to rock his side's confidence.
England great talks up significance of third Test win
Cummins' comments came after former England captain Vaughan suggested Australia's loss at Headingley represented a significant "psychological blow" for an Aussie side that was within touching distance of winning the series. Vaughan insisted it would a "huge challenge" for Cummins' men to regain the ascendancy at Old Trafford, against a rejuvenated England side.
“They’re (England) one-third of the way there — and they’ve got a template to win the last two Tests too,” Vaughan wrote in the UK Telegraph. “It is so difficult to win an Ashes series away from home and Australia were tantalisingly close. To pick themselves up from this psychological blow will be a huge challenge for Pat Cummins and his side.
“Mark Wood was a revelation at Headingley. He had the Aussies rattled — not just the tail, who he blew away, but also the top order.”
Mark Wood raring to go for England
Wood is confident he will be able to unleash his raw pace on Australia for both of the final two Ashes Tests, amid concerns around his workload and injury history. The express quick made an immediate impact for England in his first Test in seven months, reaching speeds of up to 155km/h in his opening spell and taking 5-34 in the first innings.
Wood has managed 29 Tests since his debut in 2015, and was held back from the second Test of this Ashes series with fitness concerns. While there is a 10-day gap before the start of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, only three days separate that match and the series finale at The Oval.
"I did four in Australia last time and three of them were in a row," Wood said. "It's a big ask, but one I've done before and I will lean on that experience to try to do it again.
"I will speak to the physio, but I imagine I will bowl once or twice, do a couple of gym sessions, maybe some running, but it won't be too drastic. I have to let the body recover.
"This was my first game in a very, very long time, especially in Test cricket. I will let the body recover, get myself in a good space, let the wounds recover and get myself up for the next one."
with agencies
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