Table of Contents
Australia captain Pat Cummins has endured the longest wicketless spell of his Test career, going 302 consecutive deliveries without taking a wicket during the ongoing series against South Africa.
Pat Cummins conceded 179 runs across the 50.2-over stretch, marking an unusual dip for one of Australia's most reliable fast bowlers. While Mitchell Starc's late burst helped Australia dismiss South Africa for 329 on Day 1 of Cape Town, the captain's struggles remained a talking point after his decision to bowl first failed to produce the expected early breakthroughs.
Pat Cummins Records His Longest Wicketless Spell in Test Cricket
Pat Cummins' wicketless run continued through the first two Tests against South Africa and into the series decider at Cape Town. In the second Test at Gqeberha, Pat Cummins finished with figures of 0/96, having also gone wicketless in the relevant innings of the opening Test. His figures on the opening day in Cape Town were 0/73 from 18 overs.
The 302 deliveries without a breakthrough represent the longest such spell of Pat Cummins' Test career since his debut in 2011. He conceded 179 runs during the period, an unusually long wait for a bowler who has regularly delivered important wickets for Australia.
Pat Cummins' latest figures also came after he elected to bowl first at the toss, expecting the Cape Town surface to offer assistance to the fast bowlers. Instead, South Africa's opening pair of Aiden Markram and Marques Ackerman put Australia under pressure with a 158-run partnership.
Markram scored 78, while Ackerman narrowly missed a century with 95. David Bedingham added 50, and Marco Jansen contributed 52 as South Africa looked set for a much bigger total.
Australia eventually recovered to bowl the hosts out for 329, but the turnaround was driven largely by Mitchell Starc. The left-arm pacer finished with 6/72, including four wickets in six deliveries late in the innings, while Nathan Lyon claimed two wickets.
Also Read: 4, 4, 4, 4! Marques Ackerman hammers Mitchell Starc for four straight boundaries in Cape Town Test
There's Been a Lot of Things That Haven't Felt Right Through the Series - Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc's performance marked a significant turnaround after he had struggled for rhythm earlier in the series. He transformed figures of 0/62 after 12 overs into 6/72, using short-pitched bowling before exploiting the second new ball to dismantle South Africa's lower order.
Before the deciding Test, Starc reviewed footage from the Durban Test alongside assistant coach James Franklin, head coach Andrew McDonald and his wife, Alyssa Healy. The review did not reveal any major technical changes in his action.
“There's been a lot of things that haven't felt right through the series. I had a bit of a look last night with [assistant coach] James Franklin and Ronnie [Andrew McDonald], and also my wife who has watched a lot of cricket,” Starc said.
He added that the footage showed little difference between his recent action and his bowling during the previous Ashes series.
“I was probably searching for a feeling that I probably didn't need to. If I just switched my brain off, I might be right,” he explained.
A Lot of Us Have Been Around Long Enough to Try and Problem-Solve - Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc also acknowledged that Australia had struggled during the opening session, when South Africa raced to 140 without losing a wicket in 27 overs. The visitors had expected more movement after Cummins chose to field first.
“A lot of us have been around long enough to try and problem-solve while we're going,” Starc said. “It would have been nice to do it with the new ball in the first hour, but I think that's a feature of our group. We can problem-solve before the end of the day's play.”
Australia also had to adjust shortly before the match after Steve Smith was ruled out with a neck problem, prompting Josh Inglis to come into the side.
“I didn't know he wasn't playing until I went out to warm-up today. He seems upbeat enough,” Starc said.
