Cummins says it’s time cricket started to look on the bright side
Pat Cummins would support any changes to Test cricket’s archaic rules to get play between rain delays after the Ashes draw at the SCG again shone a light on the issue.
Australian captain Pat Cummins' mother has died after a long battle with cancer (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Around 60 overs were lost to rain across the match, during an on-again off-again five days where all but one day had stoppages.
Frustratingly there were times over the wet opening few days where the sun was out for periods that often coincided with players being off the field for lunch or tea breaks.
Australia could dearly have done with that time back, after they fell just one wicket short of taking a 4-0 lead in the Ashes as England held on in Sydney.
“It’s always spoken about,” Test captain Cummins said.
“It’s kind of the traditions of Test cricket.
“Even on day one we gave a bit of an allowance for the anthems and opening ceremony, which was when there was sunlight there for little while.
“I don’t know the answers, but I think if it’s not raining and we’ve been sitting down all morning, let’s try and play as much cricket as we can.
“It’s one of the traditions. I’d be happy if we found some more overs somewhere.”
Players and fans were also partly to blame, with slow overrates again an issue at the SCG not helped by constant stoppages close to the sightscreens.
Meanwhile, Cummins felt his team had taken a step forward in their final-day efforts, despite failing to close out a match for the third time in two summers.
Australia also failed to bowled out India at the SCG and Gabba on the last day last summer, costing them both the series and a spot in the World Test Championship final.
They had similar issues against England in the 2019 Ashes at Headingley, while they have also been forced to fight for final-day wins against the same team at Old Trafford and Adelaide in recent years.
“Two of them have been here at the SCG (where) a day five wicket doesn’t play like a day traditional broken-up day five wicket,” Cummins said.
“This year, compared to last year, I think we’ve made some improvements.
“We probably stuck at some plans a little bit longer. When you’re that far ahead of the game of course you want to win it.
“But I thought England played well. I was really happy with how everyone went and the went plans we had.”
