Pat Cummins has declared that Australia is in “no rush to make rash changes” to the Test side after an underwhelming campaign for the rejigged top order in New Zealand.
Australia pulled off a miraculous escape in Christchurch on Monday, with Alex Carey’s unbeaten 98 steering the tourists towards a tense three-wicket victory at Hagley Oval. After combining with all-rounder Mitchell Marsh for a 140-run partnership for the sixth wicket, Carey and Cummins knocked off the final 61 runs to clinch an unlikely victory over the Kiwis.
It was Australia’s sixth victory of the summer, which featured a 3-0 series whitewash over Pakistan and a drawn Frank-Worrell Trophy campaign against the West Indies in January.
Despite the unexpected loss to the West Indies in Brisbane, Australia has climbed to second on the World Test Championship rankings, boosting the team’s chances of retaining its title in 2025.
However, despite the team’s success over the past three months, Australia’s vulnerable batting order remains a cause for concern ahead of an eight-month Test hiatus, with the nation’s next red-ball assignment being a five-match home campaign against powerhouse India.
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Career defining’: Carey comes up clutch | 03:40
Since reinventing himself as an opener following David Warner’s retirement, Steve Smith has passed 12 twice in eight Test knocks, averaging 28.50 during that period. Against the swinging Kookaburra, the New South Welshman has been trapped LBW in single figures on three occasions, a worrying trend for a cricketer who was once impenetrable on the pads.
Travis Head has mustered just one 50+ score in his 16 most recent Test innings, while Marsh suffered consecutive ducks against the Black Caps in New Zealand.
Veteran opener Usman Khawaja has not scored a hundred in 23 Test innings, while fellow Queenslander Marnus Labuschagne has been dismissed in single figures in five of his six most recent Test knocks.
Test batting average during New Zealand tour
79.33 — Cameron Green
41.66 — Alex Carey
30.00 — Mitchell Marsh
24.75 — Marnus Labuschagne
22.00 — Usman Khawaja
17.25 — Travis Head
12.75 — Steve Smith
‘Sure that’s bat?’ – Marsh gets lucky? | 01:43
Speaking to reporters following Monday’s triumph in Christchurch, Cummins remained adamant that Australia had picked its six best batters for the series finale, praising the team’s wealth of experience.
“We all know how good they are,” Cummins said.
“We’re pretty adamant these are our six best batters.
“But of course you’re always looking at how your batting unit functions, how you’re going to pick the best batting unit to try and perform.
“We’re really happy with how the boys are going. No doubt some of them will look back and wish they’d scored a few more runs over the last couple of games, but basically everyone in the line-up has won a match this summer.
“One of the biggest strengths is the experience we have. At least half of the team has played fifty Test matches. That’s pretty hard to replicate.
“In those key moments, being able to draw on that knowledge from guys that have played all over the world is valuable.
“We’re in no rush to make rash changes.”
Cummins also pointed out that despite the inconsistency within Australia’s batting line-up, each member of the side has stepped up at some stage during the summer.
“At times we haven’t played our best cricket, but still found a way to win,” Cummins continued.
“In a couple of previous summers, we blew teams out of the water. This summer wasn’t the case.
“But at the key moments, someone stood up and we found a way to win.
“It’s similar to the ODI World Cup, where you keep finding a way to win even when at times (the team) isn’t fully functioning.”
Carey echoed his skipper’s remarks in the post-match press conference: “Someone has always been able to step up with the bat when needed.
“This group’s been able to get out of situations. Each guy’s had a game where they’ve been able to do that.
“You look across the board, everyone’s had their moments. It’s a really special team that we’re playing in.”
‘I had no idea he was on 98’ | 00:34
Meanwhile, Cummins had nothing but praise for Carey following his career-defining knock at Hagley Oval, claiming the South Australian was in the process of “carving out a special career”.
“His glovework has basically been flawless since he started, and that’s basically your main role as the keeper in the side,” Cummins said.
“Kez is well and truly a matchwinner with his batting as well.”
Carey had registered scores of 14, 3, 10 and 2 before Monday’s heroic performance against the Black Caps, but the 31-year-old never doubted his capabilities with the bat.
“I feel like I came into this series batting well at Sheffield Shield level,” Carey said.
“I was a little bit disappointed with the first game’s dismissals, but I was confident.”
Australia secured a 2-0 series whitewash over New Zealand to retain the Trans-Tasman Trophy for a 13th consecutive series. Meanwhile, the Black Caps have not defeated Australia in a home Test since 1993.
