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Pat Cummins makes a surprise revelation from David Warner as the veteran starter is named Player of the Series against South Africa ahead of Steve Smith
Pat Cummins revealed that David Warner was surprised to be named Player of the Series after Australia beat South Africa.
Having notched up their first win against the Proteas since 2014 with a comprehensive innings win at the MCG last week, the Aussies missed out on a clean sweep as a rain-affected third Test ended in a draw at the SCG on Sunday.
Warner was named player of the series after finishing with 213 runs at an average of 53.25.
David Warner won the Mullagh Medal at the Boxing Day Test and was named Player of the Series as Australia beat South Africa 2-0
The veteran starter ended a 27-inning streak without a Test ton and silenced the critics in style when he made 200 at the MCG in the second Test of the series against the Proteas.
The 36-year-old’s highest score since he posted an unbeaten 335 against Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval in November 2019 could not have come at a better time as he celebrated his 100th Test.
However, Warner’s other three innings returned scores of zero, three and 10, in line with the dismal form that accompanied him in the series.
He came into the Boxing Day Test averaging just 17.5 after a paltry 105-run comeback in the first three Tests of the summer and has averaged just 21.64 this year.
Warner celebrates a majestic double ton during day two of the Boxing Day Test
But he made scores of just zero, three and 10 in his other three innings of the series.
And Cummins admitted that the veteran starter couldn’t hide his surprise when he received the award.
“He said himself, that’s amazing,” the Australian captain told reporters.
‘I heard someone say it was a joint project between a couple of players, and Davey got it in the end.
“Every time someone plays, it’s not the first thing that they put on their mantle, the player of the series. So, it is what it is.’
Pat Cummins admitted Warner was surprised to be named Player of the Series
The AAP reported that Warner, Usman Khawaja and Travis Head were tied with 18 points each, but the broadcasters decided that the former’s performance at the MCG was the most dominant.
The award is determined by counting the man of the match points awarded by various broadcasters after each Test.
Khawaja was unbeaten on 195 as Australia declared 4-475 in their first innings against South Africa at the SCG and averaged 69.66 throughout the series.
Steve Smith made 104 at the SCG and finished as the series’ leading run-scorer with 231
Usman Khawaja made 195 nots on the SCG and averaged 69.66 throughout the series
Meanwhile, Head made 92 on incredibly difficult ground in Brisbane and followed it up with scores of 51 and 70. at Melbourne and Sydney, finishing the series with as many races as Warner at the same time average.
Meanwhile, Steve Smith was also in contention after his 104 at the SCG capped an excellent series, which he finished as the leading run-scorer with 231 at 57.75.
Cummins was arguably the bowlers’ choice, finishing with 12 wickets at an average of 16.91.