ASHES 2019: "Not humanly possible" to play Pat Cummins in all the Ashes Tests, says Justin Langer

Cummins is currently the No.1 Test bowler in the ICC rankings.

Pat Cummins | Getty Images

Head coach Justin Langer on Monday, 12th August, admitted that Australia would like to play their premier pace bowler Pat Cummins in all five Test matches of the ongoing Ashes 2019, but it won’t be humanly possible, hinting that the No. 1 Test bowler could be rested for parts of the ongoing Test series in England.

Cummins, the in-form speedster, came out with a stunning display with the ball in the first Ashes Test, taking seven wickets to play a key role in Australia’s massive 251-run victory against England.

Now, the teams are gearing for the second Test to be played from 14th August (Wednesday) at Lord’s and Australia would be definitely hoping for a similar show from Cummins and Langer insisted that Australia are going to go with their best pace attack.

As per ANI Langer said of Cummins: “In theory, you would like him to play all five Tests. Those back-to-back Test matches depend a lot on how much he bowls.”

He continued, “Pat bowled the most overs [among Australia's fast bowlers] in the first Test, but depends on how the game goes and how many overs he bowls, on how much batting there is in between [bowling innings], whether we've bowled last or we've bowled in the third innings of the game. All those things will come into it. You'd like him to play all five, but I am not sure it's humanly possible.”

Meanwhile, Australia have many pace options at their ranks, including Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, though, the tourists decided to leave the two and went with Cummins, Peter Siddle, and James Pattinson in the first Test and Langer said all the fast-bowlers are ready for the English challenge.

The Aussie coach further added, “You also have Josh Hazlewood, who has played 40-odd Tests and is a gun, and Mitch Starc, who took 10 wickets in his last Test match. They're all there and we've talked about having the squad of fast bowlers.”

Langer signed off by saying, “I think everyone would like to play all five. I think it's one of those things, where it's just great that we've got that flexibility, so I think every game you're going to pick your best three bowlers you think are going to win that match.”

(With ANI Inputs)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 13 Aug, 2019

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