Australia Celebrates Strong Start to WTC Campaign; Cummins Praises Smith's Experience

Australian captain Pat Cummins has lauded his team's impressive beginning to the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. The side, a finalist in the last two WTC Finals, has secured victories in their first two Tests of this cycle, triumphing over the West Indies in Grenada to clinch the series.

Cummins reflects on Australia's bounce-back after the WTC Final. © AFP

"Securing an away win is never easy, so I'm really pleased with how we responded after Lord's (WTC Final)," Cummins commented after the Grenada Test. "It's been a positive couple of weeks. With the pink ball Test coming up next week, securing the series beforehand is a great advantage. These matches always present unique challenges. It's a dream start indeed, winning both matches and integrating ourselves into the cycle while playing some exceptional cricket."

Cummins also acknowledged the crucial role of experienced players, specifically praising Steve Smith for his vital half-century. Smith's innings proved crucial in the second innings when the team was struggling at 28/3, with a narrow lead of just 61. "Experience plays a significant role, and we've seen the value of someone like Steve Smith returning to the side," Cummins noted. "Even if he hadn't played in Grenada, he has vast experience on various wickets, knowing how to find different ways to score. It might not always involve powerful drives, but sometimes it's about grinding your way to a 50, which comes from experience."

He further added, "With experience, you've encountered similar problems before, bringing a level of composure that helps you navigate through challenges. As a captain, it simplifies my job, knowing that we have several settled and experienced players in the team."

Regarding young opener Sam Konstas, who has struggled to make a significant impact in the series, Cummins expressed his support. "Every innings can feel like the most important thing in the world," he said. "But the reality is that even the best batters in the world don't perform to their average in most innings. Failure is more common than success."

Cummins emphasized the importance of continuous learning and improvement. "As long as you learn quickly, move effectively, and give yourself the best opportunity, you should keep working hard and evaluate yourself after a series, not just innings by innings."

The article also touched on the struggles of West Indies' former captain Kraigg Brathwaite. With Brathwaite's recent performances declining, head coach Daren Sammy is considering his future for the upcoming game. "He hasn't looked good this series, and in a team where you are searching for performances, you get very close to say 'okay, do we give somebody else a chance?'" Sammy said. "But we will really have a good discussion, myself, the selection group, and the captain himself, about that particular situation."

Sammy also pointed out the need for improvements in Caribbean pitches to develop better Test batters. "It's hard to produce the quality of batters that we want to compete," he noted. "When you look at the surfaces that we play on, it's hard."