Former England captain Michael Vaughan has showered praise on Australian Team Captain Pat Cummins for his exceptional bowling performance on Day 3 of the Ashes 2023 series. Vaughan declared that the “Real Australia” had finally emerged and credited Cummins for putting an end to the previously dominant “Bazball” batting style of the Australian team.
Starting the day at 311/5, with Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey at the crease, Australia’s innings took a turn when Carey was dismissed by James Anderson after contributing 27 runs. Khawaja and captain Pat Cummins tried to propel the team past England’s first-innings total of 393.
However, Khawaja’s dismissal triggered a collapse as Australia went from 372/7 to being all out for 386, giving England a slim seven-run lead. Following a brief interval, England resumed their batting with the intention of scoring quickly.
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Rain interrupted play and hindered England’s openers from getting off to a strong start, with the Australian fielders offering assistance. Eventually, due to persistent rain, the game was called off with England in trouble.
Before rain disrupted play, Cummins made his mark by taking out Ben Duckett with an exceptional catch by Cameron Green. Prior to the interruption, Ollie Pope and Joe Root faced aggressive bowling from Cummins and his teammates.
“There has been help with the conditions,” remarked Michael Vaughan. Pat Cummins, the Australian captain, faced criticism for his defensive field placements during England’s first innings. However, on Day 3, he turned the tables with a scintillating bowling spell.
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In England’s rain-affected second innings, they finished the day at 28-2, as the Australian seamers displayed aggression and claimed two wickets while conceding only one run in 22 balls, giving Australia an overall 35-run advantage.
Delighted with Australia’s commanding performance, Michael Vaughan expressed his admiration, stating, “That is the Australian team I have known for all of the time I have been watching Test cricket.”
He further emphasized, “There has been help with the conditions, and the ball started to move, but it is just the mindset. Australia has made it clear to the batters that ‘We are here to get you out, not just spread the fields and let you knock it around.”