AUS v IND 2020-21: ‘They'll come good’, Cummins backs Australian batsmen to deliver in the last two Tests

Australia got bowled out for 195 and 200 in their 8-wicket defeat in the Boxing Day Test.

Steve Smith has amassed only 10 runs in the first two Tests | GettyDespite a humbling eight-wicket defeat in the Boxing Day Test against India, Australia speedster Pat Cummins said the hosts are in “absolutely no stress” and their batsmen would return to form following an abysmal performance at MCG.

Australia got bowled out for 195 and 200 in Melbourne as their batsmen struggled to cope with a collectively brilliant Indian attack.

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None of the Aussie batsmen reached fifty in either innings, with Marnus Labuschagne top-scoring after a 48 on Day 1.

"Absolutely no stress. They'll come good," Cummins said after the second Test, as quoted by AFP.

He also backed the No. 1 Test batsman Steve Smith, who has registered scores of 1, 1*, 0 and 8 in the first two games, to rediscover his form.

"Steve's been champion for a dozen years or so, so absolutely no stress at all. Every batter, every player, goes through ups and downs and the great ones find a way to get back, so yeah absolutely no stress that they'll come good, I'm sure."

With many experts have called for wholesale changes to Australia's top order going into the third Test at SCG, Cummins said there was no panic in the camp.

"It's only been two Test matches," he said. "It's too small a sample size to say people need to change the way they go about things."

"It was only 12 months ago that our batters absolutely dominated against Pakistan and New Zealand,” the ace pacer added.

Veteran David Warner is likely to return to the top of the order in Sydney as he continues his recovery from a groin injury and Cummins said the southpaw’s return would be a "huge boost".

The third Test will be played at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground from January 7 to 11.

(Inputs from AFP)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 30 Dec, 2020

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