Former England captain Michael Vaughan has declared that Australian skipper Pat Cummins is on his way to becoming Australia’s greatest cricketer after the legendary Don Bradman. Cummins, currently 30, showcased his exceptional skills with a third consecutive five-wicket haul in the recent Test against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Vaughan, reflecting on Cummins’ outstanding numbers and performances, believes the captain has at least five to seven more years to further solidify his legacy. While acknowledging that surpassing Bradman might be a stretch, Vaughan confidently stated that Cummins could be just behind Bradman in the ranks of Australia’s cricketing greats.
The year 2023 was undoubtedly Cummins’ year, as he led the Australian team to several championship victories, including retaining the Ashes, winning the ICC World Test Championship, and securing Australia’s sixth ICC Cricket World Cup. Despite personal tragedy with the loss of his mother to breast cancer, Cummins exhibited resilience, mental and physical strength, and determination, making his mother and the cricketing fraternity proud.
The Australian captain ended the year on a high note with a significant win over Pakistan in the Boxing Day Test, where he also claimed a ten-wicket haul, including two five-wicket hauls in each innings. Cummins’ all-round performance in the Ashes and the World Cup showcased his batting prowess, contributing 422 runs in 28 innings with notable innings like his 44* against England in the first Ashes Test.
In the recently concluded IPL auctions in Dubai, Cummins became the most expensive IPL player ever for a brief moment with a Rs 20.50 crore deal with Sunrisers Hyderabad, until his teammate Mitchell Starc surpassed him with a Rs 24.75 crore deal with Kolkata Knight Riders.
Cummins’ impressive stats for the year include 59 wickets in 24 matches, with a bowling average of 24.45. He not only excelled in Tests but also made significant contributions in ODIs, finishing with 17 wickets. Additionally, Cummins showcased his ability as a lower-order batter, amassing 1,746 runs in 161 innings across all formats at an average of 14.79, including two Test fifties.
With 453 wickets in 196 international games, Cummins has proven himself as a force to be reckoned with in international cricket. Currently, he stands as the ninth-highest wicket-taker for Australia, with the legendary Shane Warne leading the charts with 1,001 wickets. Cummins’ remarkable journey and performances continue to shape him as a potential cricketing icon in the making.
Comments