Pat Cummins’ decision to turn down $1.3MILLION IPL deal has given Australia a crucial advantage
How Pat Cummins’ selfless decision to turn down a $1.3 MILLION mega deal has given Australia a crucial advantage in their search for Ashes in England
Pat Cummins’ $1.3 million IPL sacrifice has already paid off for Australia, as he worked on his batting at home behind the famous Edgbaston Test win.
Cummins made the call last summer to forgo a big payday and skip this year’s IPL, citing workload concerns in its decision not to play for Kolkata Knight Riders.
That time was instead spent in Australia, where Cummins genuinely focused on his percussion during several sessions with famed coach Trent Woodhill.
The difference was evident in Australia’s thrilling two-wicket win in the first Ashes Test last week.
Cummins’ batting had become such a problem in recent years that he had dropped himself to No. 9 after averaging 12.55 since the start of the 2019–20 summer.
Pat Cummins has revealed he turned down a $1.3 million deal to play in the IPL to focus on Test cricket and improve his batting for the Ashes
Cummins made 44 not out in the second innings at Edgbaston to win the Test
Come Edgbaston, Cummins achieved his two highest scores in nearly five years with 38 in the first innings and a famous 44 not out in the second to win Australia the match.
“I spent a lot of sessions with Trent Woodhill in April and May,” said Cummins.
‘Over the past few years, I’ve found it difficult to switch between formats. I feel like my T20 stroke got a lot better, probably at the expense of the test rhythm at the time.
“At the beginning of my career in Test cricket, say 2017 or 2018, I felt good in Test cricket, but I felt like I couldn’t really take it off the square.”
Cummins is now hopeful he has struck a balance between his batting in white-ball matches and Tests ahead of the second Ashes clash at Lord’s which begins Wednesday.
“In T20 your defense may not be that good. The cue ball doesn’t move, you try to score points. But it comes at the expense of your defense.
“It’s the opposite in Test cricket. I’m working really hard on my forefoot block, but I can’t really score. It is finding a good balance between being still and moving.’
Nathan Lyon has also been working hard on his hitting with his brother Brendan, a level three certified Cricket Australia coach.
Cummins and Nathan Lyon (left) formed a 55-run match-winning partnership as Australia won the opening Ashes Test by two wickets at Edgbaston
Cummins wanted to work on his batting after his average dropped to just above 12
Lyon also worked on his batting, surviving 28 balls off Edgbaston in Australia’s pursuit
England attempted to hit the offspinner in their winning 55-run unbeaten partnership with Cummins, but Lyon survived 28 balls to score a crucial 16 runs.
“I’m not much into hitting, but I’m trying to get better,” said Lyon.
‘I worked a lot with my brother. It’s about getting into really good positions and trying to play my part for the team.
“Whether that’s to hold on and blast for a long time or to play the game, it’s just about being very clear about my role.”