Australia’s former Test skipper, Tim Paine, showered praise on Pat Cummins for his exceptional leadership and stellar performance during their victorious World Cup campaign in India. Cummins, leading from the front, showcased exemplary bowling skills with figures of 2/34 in 10 overs, including crucial dismissals of Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, limiting India to a modest 240. Cummins’ courageous choice to bowl first after winning the toss received praise, establishing the momentum for Australia’s victory. The team went on to clinch a remarkable sixth World Cup championship, defeating India by six wickets. Travis Head’s outstanding 137 and Marnus Labuschagne’s unbeaten 58 played a pivotal role in leading the charge.

Speaking on SEN Radio, Paine highlighted Cummins’ strategic brilliance in choosing to bowl first, despite initial surprises from onlookers. Paine emphasized the team’s awareness of the challenging conditions in the second innings due to dew and credited Cummins for the well-thought-out decision. The former captain praised Andrew McDonald and the coaching staff for their contributions to the team’s victory.

Paine lauded Cummins for flawless execution throughout the final, noting that not a single decision went awry. He highlighted Cummins’ astute captaincy, from setting unique field placements for Rohit Sharma to adapting strategies based on the pitch conditions. Paine praised the atypical approach, like employing four fielders on the offside without any cover, exhibiting a degree of tactical creativity seldom witnessed in one-day cricket.

Describing Cummins’ performance as one of his “great games” as captain, Paine pointed out Cummins’ ability to read the game and make effective bowling changes.In order to build up overs at crucial junctures, Cummins skillfully used Travis Head and Mitch Marsh, demonstrating a deep understanding of the subtleties of the game. In his closing speech, Paine praised Cummins for setting a positive example with his excellent bowling skills and firm leadership, which played a significant role in Australia’s successful on-field performance.