Former Australian cricketer Mike Hussey has hailed the Pat Cummins-led Test side as one of the greatest sporting teams in Australia’s history. Regaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a 3-1 victory over India, coupled with their 2023 World Test Championship triumph, has cemented their dominance across formats. This achievement marks the team’s possession of every major bilateral Test series and ICC title under Cummins’ leadership.
“They’ve won pretty much everything—Ashes, World Cups—and now, beating India in a Test series, which was the one missing piece in Pat Cummins’ tenure,” Mike Hussey shared with Fox Sports. “The consistency of this core group, particularly the bowling unit, over such a long time has been remarkable. While it’s difficult to compare teams across eras, they’re undoubtedly among the best.”
Cummins, appointed Test captain in 2021 during the Ashes after Tim Paine’s departure, has steered the team through remarkable highs. In addition to bilateral series wins, his tenure includes the ODI World Cup victory in India in 2023. As skipper, Cummins has also excelled individually, taking 130 Test wickets at an impressive average of 23.50 and clinching the ICC’s Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for Men’s Cricketer of the Year in 2023.
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Former Australian spinner Kerry O’Keeffe lauded Cummins’ leadership, particularly in managing an aging squad often under scrutiny. “This team consistently defies questions about their age. Their legacy is proving that age is just a number when you keep winning,” said O’Keeffe.
He highlighted the resilience displayed by the side in challenging scenarios. “Last year, there were matches they could’ve lost—like the close encounters in New Zealand or Pakistan, where the opposition had their chances. Yet, this team finds ways to win. That’s the hallmark of a truly great side.”
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Cummins’ reign as captain has been a masterclass in managing experienced players while maintaining peak performance. As the team continues to rewrite history, Hussey and O’Keeffe’s sentiments reflect the growing recognition of Australia’s current Test side as one of the all-time greats in cricket and beyond.
