Watch: A pre-tour training video from Pat Cummins foreshadowed the no-balls he bowled in the World Test Championship final weeks before they happened, with two wickets overturned off the captain’s bowling in India’s first innings.
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Ajinkya Rahane was given out lbw off Cummins’ bowling when he was on 17 on day two, only for the decision to be overturned on review with the bowler’s heel just in front of the line. Ball tracking showed the delivery would’ve been umpire’s call on impact and hitting the wicket meaning, had Cummins dragged his foot back a couple of centimetres, Rahane would have been on his way back to the dressing room. Rahane went on to score a counter-attacking 88 before he was finally out, just about keeping India into the final.
Disaster struck again for Cummins the following day when, just as with Rahane, he trapped Shardul Thakur lbw and the umpire raised his finger. Again, the decision was reviewed and the first check of the front foot showed that it was over the line. DRS showed that the lbw would’ve stayed out on ball tracking. Thakur went on to make his third consecutive Test match half-century at the Kia Oval.
After both incidents had left Australia still searching for wickets, a video emerged from Cummins’ Twitter account. The video was posted on May 23 and showed the Australia captain running into bowl during training.
The caption read: “Final prep in Sydney before flying out to England in a couple of days. All the boys buzzing for the UK trip. Huge few months coming up.
“P.S. Yes I know this is a no ball.”
The video, shot from a side-on angle, clearly showed Cummins’ front foot a significant distance in front of the crease as he released the ball.
Final prep in Sydney before flying out to England in a couple of days. All the boys buzzing for the Uk trip. Huge few months coming up 💪🏼 🏏
P.s. yes I know this is a no ball 🤦🏼♂️ @newbalance pic.twitter.com/rSF9WqOxJU
— Pat Cummins (@patcummins30) May 23, 2023
Rahane and Thakur’s partnership went on to reach 109 off 145 balls before Cummins managed to find Rahane’s outside edge off a legal delivery, Cameron Green taking an excellent leaping catch. But, after the video of Cummins in training resurfaced on Twitter, there was some criticism of his approach to practice.
Hmmm no-ball, again and again. #WTCFinal https://t.co/kjzofJttOl
— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) June 9, 2023
Should have Prepped better my man.
He Knew #CricketTwitter #WTCFinal2023 https://t.co/TjkdXvgx1E
— InPlayCric (@InplayCricc) June 9, 2023
India were bowled out for 296 in their first innings with Cummins picking up three wickets. Nevertheless, the elongation of Thakur and Rahane’s partnership after both no balls did loosen Australia’s grip on the final, albeit temporarily.
