Last Updated on 1 year by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: England should focus on themselves – Pat Cummins | Cummins says Jonny Bairstow dismissal is fair
Pat Cummins has brushed silence over all the noise regarding Jonny Bairstow’s controversial dismissal in the second Test at Lord’s. Ahead of the third Test at Headingley, Cummins defended the act as he instead insisted that England focus on themselves given they are 2-0 down in the series.
“For what I think is a pretty common non-event, it does seem like everyone has a pretty strong opinion about it. I don’t think there’s any discussion; it’s out. If the shoe was on the other foot, I wouldn’t be looking at the opposition, I’d probably be thinking our own batter, and would be thinking it is pretty silly,” Cummins said ahead of the third Test.
Alex Carey stumped Bairstow on the final day at Lord’s as the wicket-keeper batsman strolled out of the crease while the ball was still live. The Australian keeper spotted an opportunity and optimised the same to derail the innings, which has copped a lot of criticism from the English fraternity.
The Australian skipper mentioned that his team concentrates on their own activities. He was adamant that they introspect within and try to make amends wherever possible. Further, Cummins hailed the conduct of his players in this tour and said that they have maintained respect towards the opposition, the umpires as well as the crowd.
If the shoe was on the other foot, I wouldn’t be looking at the opposition, I’d probably be thinking our own batter, and would be thinking it is pretty silly,” Cummins said ahead of the third Test.
Pat Cummins.
“I know what our team does, and that’s we concentrate on ourselves. When we haven’t been playing up to scratch, we look pretty deeply at what we are doing, and try to make amends. We don’t apportion blame to conditions or opposition or anything else going on. I’m really proud of how our boys have conducted themselves (on) this tour, especially on that day five. I thought the way they maintained respect for the opposition, the umpires (and) the crowd, their dignity was first-class,” Cummins further added.
Meanwhile, England have called up the trio of Mark Wood, Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes as they look to bring about a resurgence in the third game in the absence of vice-captain Ollie Pope. The 25-year-old has been ruled out of the rest of the series due to a shoulder injury he suffered at Lord’s.