On This Day: Revisiting 3 memorable winning moments of Pat Cummins as captain

Australia’s cricketing sensation, Pat Cummins, marks his 31st birthday today, May 8. Cummins ‘ cricket journey is remarkable from his sensational Test debut to leading Australia to numerous victories.

Earmarked as a budding superstar, Pat Cummins made headlines with a sensational Test debut in 2011, scalping seven wickets against South Africa. Since then, his career has been on a meteoric rise, achieving milestones many only dream of. From leading Australia to victory in the ODI World Cup to retaining the Ashes and clinching the World Test Championship, Cummins’ journey is nothing short of extraordinary. 

Cummins’ contributions to Australian cricket extend beyond his on-field exploits. His leadership and sportsmanship have left an indelible mark on the sport, inspiring future generations of cricketers to strive for excellence. Whether it’s his fiery spells with the ball or his gritty innings with the bat, Cummins has redefined what it means to be a modern-day cricketer. Let’s take a look at his memorable winning moments as skipper. 

1. WTC Final Victory Against India

Cummins began his Test captaincy remarkably as he secured victories in 8 out of his first 13 Tests as captain, including a series win in Pakistan.

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In 2023, Cummins showcased exceptional leadership in the ICC World Test Championship Final against India. Despite facing tough challenges, Cummins steered Australia to victory, clinching the Test Championship under his captaincy.

Centuries from Travis Head and Steve Smith in the first inning ultimately led to India chasing 444 runs in the fourth inning but being bundled out for just 234 runs. Pat Cummins took four wickets, including 3/83 in the first innings, which included the scalps of skipper Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane.

2. Retaining the Ashes as captain

Cummins’ leadership prowess was further evident in the Ashes series, where Australia faced England’s formidable cricketing force. Cummins led his team to victory despite underdogs, retaining The Ashes with a remarkable performance.

Australia’s Ashes drought in England was a lingering concern as they embarked on their tour of the UK. Under the dynamic leadership of skipper Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, England displayed a re-energized and aggressive approach, popularly termed as ‘Bazball’.

The stage was set for a thrilling encounter, and the first Test at Edgbaston didn’t disappoint. Captain Cummins showcased his mettle with a gritty 44* and pivotally stitched a crucial 55-run partnership with Nathan Lyon during a tense but ultimately successful 281-run chase. This performance secured a crucial victory for Australia and set the tone for the rest of the series.

The five-match Test series that followed was marked by intense battles, showcasing everything from top-notch performances to endless controversies and debates on the ‘Spirit of Cricket’. Despite the relentless pressure, the series ended in a nail-biting 2-2 draw, with the Aussies successfully retaining the Ashes.

Cummins emerged as a standout performer in the series, delivering stellar performances with both bat and ball. Cummins played a crucial role in Australia’s success with 18 wickets, including the best figures of 6/91, and contributing 162 runs with his bat in nine innings.

Australia have held on to the urn since regaining the Ashes at home in 2016/17 with a 4-0 win. They also beat England 4-0 in 2020/21 and have drawn the 2019 and 2023 series in England 2-2. As captain, Cummins has held on to the urn for two series.

3. 2023 ODI World Cup Glory

The 2023 ODI World Cup final will forever be etched in the annals of cricketing history as a defining moment for Australian cricket, all thanks to the audacious leadership of Pat Cummins. When the coin fell his way in the ODI World Cup final, conventional wisdom dictated that Cummins would opt for the age-old strategy of batting first to set a formidable total. However, to the astonishment of many, Cummins boldly decided to bowl first. Cummins’ decision to bowl first was with risks. Had it backfired, he would have faced criticism for years to come. 

While Cummins’ leadership was instrumental, Travis Head’s century in the final provided the impetus Australia needed to clinch victory. Head’s masterful innings shifted the momentum in Australia’s favour, propelling them towards their ultimate goal.

Cummins took 15 wickets in the tournament and scored 128 important runs in eight innings. He joined Border, Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting (twice) and Michael Clarke as Australia’s male ODI World Cup-winning captains.

Record IPL Deal & Achievements

In a landmark moment for Australian cricket, Pat Cummins sealed a lucrative ₹20.50 crore deal with Sunrisers Hyderabad during the IPL Auction. This made him the IPL’s second most expensive player, underlining his stature as one of the most sought-after talents in the cricketing world.

In 2023, he showcased his prowess with the ball, amassing 59 wickets across 24 matches. Notably, his performance in the home Boxing Day Test at the MCG, where he claimed a ten-wicket haul, stood out as a testament to his bowling excellence.

During the ODI World Cup, Cummins led Australia to the remarkable feat of winning nine consecutive matches.

45.47, Cummins’ bowling strike rate in Tests in 2023, when he took 42 wickets. Only Imran Khan has more wickets at a better strike rate as captain in a calendar year.

He is the first Australian man to be named as Wisden’s Leading Cricketer since Michael Clarke in 2012 and succeeds his England counterpart Ben Stokes, who had claimed the honour three times in four years, in 2020, 2021 and 2023.