Following Australia's disappointing loss to South Africa in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord's, captain Pat Cummins has offered his assessment of the tournament's format. Despite entering the match as defending champions, Australia succumbed to a five-wicket defeat, leaving Cummins to reflect on what might have been and to share his thoughts on the WTC itself.
Cummins acknowledged the sting of the loss, admitting that "things can change pretty quickly." He pointed to Australia's first-innings lead of 74 runs as a missed opportunity to "bat the opposition out of the game." While he credited South Africa for their strong performance, particularly in the fourth innings, he also suggested that an extended batting effort from Australia could have altered the course of the match. "If we batted another session, the conditions would've helped us a little more," Cummins lamented.
When asked directly about the WTC format, Cummins expressed his fondness for Test cricket and recognized the significance of the championship. "It's the pinnacle, I love Test cricket," he declared. He emphasized the "huge achievement" of reaching the final, acknowledging the hard work and consistent performance required over the preceding two years. While disappointed with the outcome, Cummins viewed the one-off final as a "spectacle." Reflecting on the week, he concluded, "didn't end up on the right side, but it's been a great week.”
Cummins also addressed Australia's batting woes in the match, particularly their second-innings collapse. When questioned whether conditions or the top-order's struggles were to blame, he responded, "I think a bit of both." He acknowledged the team's strong performance over the past two years but conceded that "it didn't come together in this game." He also praised the bowlers' efforts in the first two days, noting that the ball was consistently "darting around."
Despite the defeat, Cummins was gracious in defeat, acknowledging South Africa's deserving victory. He specifically highlighted the match-winning partnership between Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma, admitting that "Aiden and Temba didn't give us a chance." He further stated that "SA showed why they're here and are deserved winners, they kept themselves in the game throughout." Markram's impressive 136 and Bavuma's resilient 66 proved crucial in South Africa's successful chase of 282.
Looking ahead, Cummins emphasized the importance of the upcoming Test series against the West Indies. He noted that the WTC format gives significance to every Test series, providing an immediate opportunity for Australia to "dust ourselves off and turn around in a couple of weeks and start looking ahead to the next one.” He also alluded to a potential "reset" with the new WTC cycle, suggesting possible changes in personnel. However, he stressed the need to "sit down and have a bit of a think after we digest this game" before making any hasty decisions. The availability of Steve Smith for the West Indies tour remains uncertain after he sustained a finger injury during the final.
