Pat Cummins potent on any pitch: Maxwell

Australia allrounder Glenn Maxwell says express paceman Pat Cummins can create rearing bounce on any cricket pitch in the world.

Pat Cummins was rushed into Australia's Test XI in an effort to replicate Mitchell Starc's express pace, bounce and hostility.

Cummins ticked all three boxes in Ranchi on day two of the third Test, when he marked his comeback with the only wicket to fall as India reached 1-120 at stumps.

The 23-year-old, finally given the chance to back up his memorable debut in 2011, unleashed five and a half years of frustration on the hosts.

India opener KL Rahul copped the brunt of it, gloving a rearing bouncer that defied the docile pitch.

Glenn Maxwell backed Cummins, who also bowled a handful of off-cutters in an attempt to keep the bastmen honest, to create further headaches for the top-ranked Test side.

"I avoid him in the nets, along with Starc," Maxwell said.

"I'm not surprised he was able to get that (bounce) out there. He's awkward. He's got a high release and he's able to hit a length where the ball reacts differently.

"He's a guy who can get that variable bounce with the way he digs the ball into the wicket.

"That extra pace is hard to adjust to when it is doing something different height-wise off the wicket ... hopefully, he's extremely effective for us."

Maxwell described Cummins' six-over spell in Friday's final session as "pretty exciting". Cricket Australia medicos would likely use the same term, but for different reasons.

"Everyone knows the talent that Patty has," the allrounder said.

"For him to come back and get that first wicket for us, it just gave us something in that last session ... almost a little bit like what Starcy was doing for us.

"Just a little fast burst of pace and a couple of short balls - and all of a sudden it can change the game."

All eyes will be on the pitch on day three. It is yet to play many tricks but should start to break up.

"I have no idea but I hope it explodes," Maxwell said.

India paceman Umesh Yadav took a different view, suggesting "the pitch is easy to bat on".

"I don't think the pitch has changed ... I can't predict how much the wicket will change, whether it would turn and assist the bowlers more," Yadav said.

"It's difficult to stop singles on this wicket ... it's not easy to bowl on this wicket.

"Once the ball goes in the gap it goes for a boundary (because of the fast outfield)."


Share

3 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world