Australia Test captain Pat Cummins feels “lucky” and “privileged” to have left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc on his side after his game-changing performance helped the hosts level the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India on Sunday.

A Pink-Ball Specialist in Action

Starc and Cummins bowled in tandem to dominate the pink ball conditions in Adelaide. Indian batters struggled against Australia’s short-ball strategy and their consistency even as the ball aged. In the first innings, Starc’s 6/48 showed his expertise with the pink ball, while Cummins followed up with a five-wicket haul in the second innings.

Starc’s record now stands at 74 wickets in 13 day-night Tests—the most by any bowler in the format.

Cummins praised Starc’s longevity and skill

“Having someone like Starc, he’s amazing, just does it time and time again. He’s done it for over a decade now. Feel very lucky and privileged to have him in our team.”

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Travis Head’s Game-Changing Innings

Aside from the pacemen’s firepower, Travis Head brought vital momentum with his aggressive strokeplay. His ability to target short deliveries in his hitting arc kept pressure on India and proved pivotal at key moments.

Cummins lauded Head’s impact

“It feels like every time he walks out, the game’s kind of in the balance, it can go one or two ways and, within the space of a session or so, he really takes the game out of their (India) hands, and he just pressures right back onto the opposition, hits into weird areas.”

Scott Boland Fills Hazlewood’s Void

With Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the Test due to a side strain, Scott Boland stepped in and demonstrated his reliability. Boland proved himself with crucial wickets throughout the match, finishing the first innings with a brace and following it up with a three-wicket haul in the second.

Cummins praised Boland’s adaptability and consistency

“Scotty just fitted in straightaway, like he always does. He probes with every ball, top of off. Hopefully, Josh is back next week. But even then Scotty is unbelievable.”

Boland’s performance ensured Australia maintained their winning momentum, even without Hazlewood’s presence.

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