AUS vs PAK: "I Am Happy To Eat My Words.."- Darren Berry Issues Public Apology To Pat Cummins
Former Victorian captain Darren Berry scathingly criticized Pat Cummins’ captaincy during the Ashes series in England, particularly during the third day of the fourth Test where Australia suffered a humiliating defeat. However, after a stellar performance by Pat Cummins as a skipper, Berry is happy to eat his words and issued a dramatic public apology for asking Cummins to resign after the Old Trafford Test defeat against England.
England posted a monstrous 592 at Old Trafford in the first innings of the Fourth Test. It was England’s first score above 500 in an Ashes Test at home since 1985. Six of England’s top seven scored at least 50 runs – the first time England achieved that since 1930. Pat Cummins’ captaincy was heavily criticized, especially for maintaining a short-ball barrage on the third day, even after Johnny Bairstow thrashed the bowlers in a 66-run stand with Jimmy Anderson for the last wicket.
At the time, Berry made a bold claim in a tweet that Pat Cummins would resign from the captaincy after the Ashes. Berry wrote, “Here is my take Pat Cummins is a magnificent cricketer no doubt but remember this msg. He will resign from the captaincy after the Ashes series. The Q is do they go back to Smudge or move forward to Head or Marsh? Ashton Turner T20.”
Berry had tweeted earlier that day, “This is unwatchable. Goodnight to all lovers of the game of our great game of cricket. This is absolutely insane to anyone watching this s**t with half a clue about the game. Enough is enough now keep banging ‘em in lads WTF.”
And finally, when Cameron Green ended the innings mercifully by trapping Anderson in front to take an LBW, Berry tweeted, “Well knock me over with a feather, a fastball at the stumps to the No. 11 gets him out. I’m shocked. What a circus. Never seen anything like this ever.”
Pat Cummins Was Hugely Supported By Head Coach Andrew McDonald
Pat Cummins recorded his worst performance statistically taking figures of 1-129 at the Old Trafford. However, in between all these criticisms, he was severely backed by Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald who believed in him and defended him publically.
“I came across those comments from Darren. They were most interesting. What I would say is leadership takes on all different shapes and forms. And if we’re living and dying in the world of tactics only, then I think it’s fair and reasonable to critique some of the execution and tactics that we implemented. But to go as far as suggesting that the captain resign post-series I think is a bit far-fetched. There are opinions that we respect and opinions that we don’t,” McDonald said.
Now, Darren Berry is eating his words after Pat Cummins’ tactical masterclass at the MCG to win the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan. Pat Cummins also recorded a personal 10-wicket haul in the Boxing Day Test. Australia has won the series against Pakistan with a 2-0 lead after the Boxing Day Test.
Berry took to Twitter to write, “Pat Cummins I was wrong. I questioned your tactical nous and your tenure as skipper during the frustrating Ashes series “Once again today at the G you have led our country over the line with your big [heart emoji] & immense skill, they were never in question. I’m so happy to eat my words.”
Pat Cummins I was wrong. I questioned your tactical nous and your tenure as skipper during the frustrating Ashes series. Once again today at the G you have lead our country over the line with your big ❤️ & immense skill, they were never in question. Im so happy to eat my words ?
Australia and Pakistan will now move to Sydney for the third and Final Test of the series. It will be the farewell Test for veteran opener David Warner who will bid adieu to the red-ball format and will only play limited-overs cricket from here on.
