Melbourne: The Australian captain, Pat Cummins, has commenced his rigorous training regimen for the forthcoming Test summer, which is scheduled to unfold later this year. His initial focus will be on the eagerly awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, commencing from November.
The Border-Gavaskar series, a longstanding rivalry between India and Australia, is poised to begin on November 22, with the inaugural Test match to be held in Perth. The schedule also includes a Test series against Sri Lanka, which will be played away from home following the BGT.
Cummins has shared a video on Instagram showcasing his practice session, where he demonstrated remarkable intensity and skill, treating the practice as a simulation of an actual game.
In a post on Instagram, Cummins expressed his anticipation for the upcoming summer, stating, "Getting ready for a huge summer. First few bowls back after a pre-season break, let's gooooo!"
The pace bowler last participated in the Major League Cricket (MLC) tournament in the United States, representing the San Francisco Unicorns franchise. His team fell short in the final against the Steve Smith-led Washington Freedom. Cummins contributed to the match with six wickets at an average of 52.17, with his best figures being 2/35.
The 2023 ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year had an outstanding year, clinching the ICC World Test Championship and ICC Cricket World Cup title by defeating India in the final of both competitions. He also played a pivotal role in Australia's victory in retaining the Ashes urn in the UK last year, securing a 2-2 draw in a closely contested series.
With India boasting two series wins in their home ground, Cummins is poised to lead his team to a significant victory against India, who have dominated the Border Gavaskar Trophy since winning every series since 2017.
Cummins is also preparing for the Sheffield Shield tournament to hone his skills and prepare for the series against India. His absence from the ongoing white-ball tour of Australia to the UK has been utilized for rest and focus on strength and conditioning in anticipation of the home series against India, which is scheduled to span seven weeks and include two Test matches in Sri Lanka, as per ESPNCricinfo.
In his illustrious career, Cummins' final appearance in the Sheffield Shield competition was in February 2021, representing New South Wales. Throughout his tenure, he has participated in a mere nine matches within the tournament. The New South Wales team is scheduled to play their Shield match against Victoria from October 20, followed by a game against Queensland on November 1.
Cummins boasts an impressive record of 46 wickets across 12 matches in the BBL Tournament, with an average of 25.45. His standout performance includes a best bowling figure of 6/27, positioning him as the 13th highest wicket-taker in the series and the sixth-highest in the prestigious bilateral competition.
The second Test, originally planned for December 6 to 10 at the Adelaide Oval, is set to feature the thrilling day-night format under the stadium's illuminated lights. Following this, spectators will eagerly await the third Test at The Gabba in Brisbane, scheduled for December 14 to 18.
The traditional Boxing Day Test, which is expected to take place from December 26 to 30 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, marks the series' penultimate stage.
The fifth and concluding Test, to be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7, promises to be the series' climax, offering a dramatic conclusion to an enthralling contest.
