ENG vs AUS: "He's Done A Great Job For Australia" - Ben Stokes Defends Pat Cummins Following Captaincy Criticism

England’s captain, Ben Stokes lauded his Australian counterpart Pat Cummins for his leadership qualities in the ongoing Ashes series between the two teams. Ben Stokes believes that the negative comments directed at Pat Cummins’ captaincy are baseless.

Pat Cummins received criticism for his bowling and field placement in the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford in Manchester. The 30-year-old failed to contain runs and pick wickets, as England scored 592 runs in their first innings at 5.5 runs per over.

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A Little Bit Unarranted – Ben Stokes

Speaking at a press conference, Ben Stokes expressed surprise at suggestions that Pat Cummins should give up the captaincy, adding that such comments are unnecessary.

“I’m not sure why someone would say he should give it up. I think he’s done a great job for Australia. I don’t know who has made those comments, but I think he’s done a great job for Australian cricket, taking over at the time he did.

Pat Cummins struggled with the ball in the last Test, conceding 129 runs in 23 overs and taking only one wicket. Australia were trailing by 61 runs with five wickets in hand before the entire final day was washed out due to rain.

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It Was Emotionless, Very Bizarre – Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes expressed frustration over the weather ruining England’s chance of levelling the five-match Test series against Australia at home.

“The game petered out the way it did because of the weather and you look back and think ‘Do you wish we had either got beat or we had played and Australia had managed to pull off a draw?’

“[Not being able to do anything] is a very strange place to be in. You could see that from both sides shaking the umpires’ hands at the end. It was emotionless, very bizarre,” he concluded

England failed to retain the Ashes series but can prevent Australia from securing their first series win on English soil since 2001. The final Test between the two teams will be played at the Oval in London, starting on Thursday, July 27.

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