India vs Australia fourth Test: Cummins & Co. hope to restrict Rohit’s men in Melbourne

Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins speaks during a press conference at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne on December 25, 2024, ahead of the fourth cricket Test match between Australia and India starting December 26.
| Photo Credit: AFP

Pat Cummins was just 18, when he turned up for his Test debut in 2011. Cut to the present, as the captain, he will see 19-year-old Sam Konstas make his maiden foray in the longer format when the fourth Test commences at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) here on Thursday (December 26, 2024).

Drawing a parallel, Cummins recalled: “I spent a bit of time wondering why I was there, how it happened so quickly. I just remember being really excited and I think it’s similar to Sammy (Konstas) this week, there’s a level of naivety that you just want to go out and play like you do when you are a kid in the backyard. You just want to take the game on, have fun and not overthink it. So that’s the message to Sam.”

The Australian captain added: “In my debut I remember trying to hit Dale Steyn over his head and I just thought that made sense at the time. Now I look back and it’s like, I would have been crucified if that didn’t come off.”

If Konstas brings in the promise of youth, Travis Head recovering from his quadriceps injury, has been another positive for the host. “Trav is good to go, so he will play. He just ticked some final things today and yesterday. No stress, no worries about the injury with Trav, and he will go into the game fully fit,” Cummins told the media here on Wednesday.

Level at 1-1 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series and having managed to restrict most of the Indian batters, Cummins hoped that he and his fellow-bowlers could replicate this while adding a cautionary note: “They are good players so no doubt they will throw some challenges at us at some point.”

As for the playing surface, the host captain offered his insights: “The pitch looks really good, quite consistent to what it was for the last few years. A bit of grass coverage, it feels nice and firm. Got to see how the heat changes it. Looks like a balanced wicket. Nathan Lyon has had some success here, (spin) certainly plays a role.”

Cummins also drew comfort from Scott Boland’s presence: “Whenever he gets his chance he steps in and looks like he is one of the best bowlers in the world. He has played more than anyone else here at the MCG. He has prepared really well.”