Legendary Australian pace bowler Glenn McGrath believes that Pat Cummins can play in the rest two Tests of the Ashes series and replicate his achievement as a pacer who played the entire tour. However, McGrath played all the matches during the thrilling six-match Ashes affair in 1997 on English soil. The right-arm pace bowler finished as the leading wicket-taker with 36 scalps as Australia secured the urn with a 3-2 scoreline as well. McGrath said that as long as Cummins feels fit and confident, he should not think of resting himself just for the sake of it as well.
“If he’s fine, feeling good, enjoying it, switched on and still mentally focused, I don’t like having a rest for the sake of having a rest. I know it’s a different mindset these days – it’s not about the XI, it’s about the squad, and the nature of the beast is we (fast bowlers) put a lot of stress on our bodies. But I do believe in survival of the fittest,” McGrath said in an interaction with cricket.com.au.
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McGrath further continued: “The best will come to the top and the ones with the best work ethic will always win out. You look at Broady and Jimmy (England veterans Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson) – they’ve played 165 and 181 Test matches (each) – that’s incredible.”If you’re not physically or mentally exhausted, I can’t see why Pat Cummins would have a rest, especially when things are on the line every single game now with the World Test Championship.”
However, Australia have had a great start to the third cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC). They have won two matches on English soil but faced a defeat in the third Test as well as faced points deduction for maintaining a slow over rate.
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Backing Cummins to remain fit, Glenn McGrath said: “He must have a good work ethic. I think his action puts a bit more stress on his body than mine did, he bowls a fair bit quicker than I did as well. All these little things add up. Being the captain as well, there’s that extra responsibility to play every game.”
He concluded: “I’m a fan of, give it everything, maintain yourself, and if you get injured someone else gets an opportunity. That keeps you on edge every game performing at your best. With Pat Cummins, he’s got in a good rhythm, a good routine, he’s just got to maintain it.”
