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Players don't feel inhibited says Cummins

Australia have lost 17 of their past 19 ODIs, and paceman Pat Cummins says the players are desperate to turn around that losing record.

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Pat Cummins in action during Australia's loss to South Africa in Perth. (AAP)

Paceman Pat Cummins insists he and his teammates don't feel inhibited in the wake of the savage review into Australian cricket, but admits they need to start producing the goods on the field.

The ball tampering scandal in South Africa and the damning review into Cricket Australia's culture have placed a huge amount of pressure on the player group to avoid any on-field troubles.

Australia's on-field results have nosedived significantly since the Test tour of South Africa, with their plight summed up by Sunday's six-wicket one-day loss to the Proteas.

Australia have now lost 17 of their past 19 ODIs - a worrying trend with less than seven months to go until the World Cup in England.

Test great Mitchell Johnson has urged Australian players not to become too friendly with their rivals on the field, believing it could compromise the team's chances of winning.

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Cummins said he doesn't feel like a brake has been applied to the player group.

"No, no, not at all," Cummins said.

"I don't feel like we've got to stop doing anything really.

"I want to be aggressive when I bowl. I want to be using my body language to show I'm confident, and for me I don't feel like too much of that needs to change.

"What we spoke about, the bullying or the over-the-top verbals directed at someone, that's probably going to go.

"But most of the other stuff will stick around."

Australia were dismissed for 152 in the series-opening ODI clash with South Africa at Perth Stadium.

The Proteas cruised to the victory target with 20.2 overs to spare - an embarrassing result for Australia in front of their home fans.

Australia will be aiming to turn around their fortunes in Friday's re-match at Adelaide Oval.

Fans have become somewhat disillusioned with Australian cricket in the wake of the ball tampering scandal and bad on-field results.

Cummins said he and his teammates were acutely aware of how much the cricketing public were craving a win.

"We're pretty hungry for one as well," Cummins said.

"If you see the guys train or talk, everyone is just so focused on getting better, doing their best.

"Everyone is so desperate for a win, everyone is trying to desperately find their place in the team, get better, all those sort of things."


3 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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