With the Cricket World Cup Final set to be played on a used pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Australia skipper Pat Cummins was asked about the furore over alleged pitch meddling by BCCI ahead of the monumental match on November 19. With just left ahead of the big final, skipper Cummins attended the pre-match press conference and was asked a how big a factor does a used pitch and toss play on the outcome of the match.
When asked if the pitch is used and will give a big advantage to India in the World Cup Final, Cummins shunned the used pitch furore. The Aussie skipper highlighted that India has an advantage because they are playing in their home conditions and they have enough experience playing cricket in India.
“Again, I’m not a great pitch reader, but it looked pretty firm. They’ve only just watered it, so yeah, give it another 24 hours and have a look, but it looks like a pretty good wicket,” Cummins said.
The reporter was quick to ask a follow-up question: “Has it been used before?”
Aussie skipper said: “Yes, I think Pakistan played someone there.”
When being compared to Eden Gardens, Pat Cummins said: “Yeah, hard to know I think it’s been a bit more high scoring here throughout the tournament. Yeah, it’s been a pretty good wicket, so yeah, hard to say.”
Is Toss Important? Pat Cummins answers
“Yeah, I mean, it’s hard to say. It’s obviously the same for both teams. No doubt playing on your own wicket in your own country has some advantages, similar to wickets that you’ve been playing your whole life. But we’ve played a lot of cricket over here. So, yeah, we’ll wait and see. I think, of all the venues, perhaps this venue – the toss isn’t as important as, say, a Mumbai Wankhede Stadium or other venues. So, we’ll be ready in terms of anything they’ll throw at us. Yeah, we’ll wait and see, but we’ll make sure we have some plans,” Cummins said.
When asked about weather change, Pat Cummins was quick to reply: “Yeah, I think the biggest difference is the dew. This city and venue seems to have more dew than a lot of the other places we play. So perhaps, yeah, that’s something to think about ahead of tomorrow. Again, it might only be the last quarter of the game but once that settles in and the ball is sliding on it’s quite different to say the first 20 overs where it might be swinging. So, something to consider. You’ve got to weigh up batting during the day when it might be a bit easier than under lights, but knowing that late in the second innings it could also slide on.”
Apart from playing in the IPL each year, the Australian side toured India earlier in February and March for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (4 tests) and 3 ODIs in March. The Aussies then returned for a 3-match ODI series in late September, just two weeks before the World Cup 2023 was underway.
The pace bowler also downplayed the toss factor for the World Cup Final. Cummins claimed that while the toss may have played a big factor if the final was being played at the Wankhede Stadium, it does not affect the match that much at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
“It is hard to say but playing at home gives you an advantage. Here the toss is not as important as in Mumbai. But we are ready to all challenges thrown at us.”
Editor's Pick
Top Stories
