Pat Cummins admits he had concerns about being Australia’s first full-time bowling captain, but woeful England did everything possible to help ease his way into the role.
Cummins finished as the series’ leading wicket-taker, and enjoyed a series 4-0 win, wrapped up inside three days in Hobart.
But for a delayed declaration in Sydney, Cummins should have been revelling in a 5-0 whitewash but this start to his leadership era could hardly be more perfect.
Travis Head was named player of the series but there were several candidates including Cummins himself, along with Scott Boland, Mitchell Starc and boom allrounder Cameron Green. Joe Root said Australia were dominant in every area. Leadership would have to be included.
Cummins also got plenty of help from the English batsmen, who failed to pass 300 in an innings in the series, which he made a reference too in what, for a more cynical guy, might be construed as a sly dig.
With Pakistan away next on the schedule, Cummins hinted that he might find the job more difficult if the opposition had put him under more pressure.
(Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
“It was probably my biggest worry accepting the role as captain – that I’m in the team as a bowler and I want to make sure that’s protected and I’m able to perform as well as I’d like,” Cummins said. “I felt with each game I felt better at managing that.
“I could switch off, take off the captain’s hat and just be a bowler for my overs. Even things around bowling changes and moving fields – I felt I got better at managing that as the series went on.
“That’s a hugely pleasing thing. It might be difficult in the heat or longer innings but I feel it’s something I’m only going to get better at.
“There more scrutiny on a captain but as for the role on the field it’s manageable. You just have to be across a little more. The role is big and important but perhaps not as all-encompassing as I thought it might be when I first took it on.”
Cummins said winning the series so emphatically was “incredible.”
“An Ashes series is one you have in your diary for a couple of years,” said Cummins. “They’re big series you want to peak at.
“Being thrown the captaincy just beforehand I couldn’t have predicted how the past six or seven weeks have gone. Everything has gone to plan. There are so many positives to take out of it. For this team to be part of Ashes history has been phenomenal.”
The next challenge for Cummins is to turn the team into the best in the world. He is targeting the world Test championship play off in two years time.
“To be the best team in the world have to win at home but almost more importantly you need to be successful overseas,” said Cummins. “That’s the challenge for this side – we haven’t played a lot overseas in the past couple of years.
“I feel we’re well suited having a squad of 15 plus who can offer a lot in those conditions. Hoping this is just the beginning. I feel we’re all in a really good place with no imminent retirees so hopefully we’re building something big.”
There were so many outstanding performances across the series but Cummins spoke glowingly of middle order pair Head and Green.
“Someone like Trav Head, he still seems like one of the younger players,” Cummins said. “He’s got a helluva lot of experience in domestic cricket. He goes about it a little bit differently to most other batters which is his big strength.
“As a captain I don’t care if he gets out in non traditional ways. I just want him to go out, be free, play his game.
“Being dropped last year and coming back this year he came with a real confidence and calmness and you saw that straight away at the Gabba.
“Cam Green is very similar. Last summer he showed signs of his potential and this summer he really grew as a bowler and batter. He’s as good as any all-rounder in the world at the moment.
“For someeone so young… as a captain I feel very lucky, not only to draw on him as a bowler but also when he’s next into bat I just feel so calm.”
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