Just a few days before the World Test Championship final test against South Africa, the training of the Australian cricket team, led by Pat Cummins, was struck by a bizarre bump. As per various reports, Australia were asked to find a training facility on Saturday after the WTC finalists were told that the Lord’s ground cannot be used for training purposes. The Indian cricket team was preferred over Australia for training at Lord’s, according to Code Sports, even though the side begins Test series against England on June 20. The teams play at Lord’s from July 10 for the third Test of the five-match series.
Pat Cummins Reacts to Being Sidelined for Indian Team
On Sunday, Australia acquired access to the venue. Australia captain Pat Cummins was, however, undeterred by the move. Instead, he took a ferocious swipe at England over an incident that occurred during the 2023 Ashes. During that series, Australia Usman Khawaja was yanked by a MCC member when the Australian cricket team was coming back after a session when Alex Carey run out Jonny Bairstow.
“I think this is the best version of the stadium this morning,” Cummins said, according to dailytelegraph.co.au. “There’s no one around, which is great. I’m sure it will be much more civil this time around. Things got pretty heated in the middle of that Ashes series, but I think a lot of them will have learned their lesson and I’m sure they’ll be very polite.”
Reports Claim India Was Prioritised Over Australia at Lord’s
A report by Fox Cricket alleged that the Indian team was given the nod to train at Lord’s “at the cost of the Australian team” when Pat Cummins’ men were ‘kicked out’. The report further pointed out that although the WTC final begins on June 11, India’s first Test against England is not until June 20. Actually, India’s Test against England at Lord’s is the third game of the series and will begin on July 10.
Australia Finally Access Lord’s; Pat Cummins Reflects on Ashes Heat
Only after being denied entry in the first place did the Australian players get a chance to try themselves out at the ground on Sunday.
Australian skipper Pat Cummins then commented about his team’s preparations, strategies, and the abuse they always receive every time they play at Lord’s.
“I think this is the best version of the stadium this morning,” he said. “There’s no one around, which is great. I’m sure it will be much more civil this time around.
“Things got pretty heated in the middle of that Ashes series, but I think a lot of them will have learned their lesson and I’m sure they’ll be very polite.”
