Pat Cummins says Joe Root dismissal the 'dream wicket' for a fast bowler
Thursday 7 November 2019 13:47, UK
Pat Cummins says his dismissal of England captain Joe Root on day one of the first Ashes Test at the Gabba was the "dream wicket".
Playing in his first Test on home soil, Cummins recorded figures of 2-59 from his 19 overs, including the prized wicket of Root (15) late in the day as England reached stumps on 196-4.
And Cummins, who trapped Root lbw with a brilliant inswinger, was delighted with the scalp, claiming it was one of the most satisfying of his career so far.
"It wasn't an overall plan to him but in terms of a fast bowlers wicket it's pretty much the dream wicket," Cummins told reporters after the game. "It's one of the most satisfying wickets I've ever got.
"If the ball's swinging to set him up with a couple of overs of outswing and then try and bowl one big inswinger. It probably only comes off one in a hundred times but when it does it's a pretty special wicket.
"Fortunately it was their captain so I couldn't be happier with that."
Tim Paine made his return behind the stumps and the 32-year-old, who was a surprise recall to the Australian Test side, was immediately back in the spotlight after dropping James Vince's thin edge off Nathan Lyon when England's No 3 was on 68.
Vince went on to score 83 before being run out by Lyon, but despite Paine's error Cummins was impressed with the gloveman's performance.
"I'm sure he'll be pretty disappointed," he said. "He keeps pretty high standards but keeping up to the stumps it's pretty hard. I think it's a case of the ball either sticks or it doesn't.
"Speaking to him and hearing him speak to Hads [Brad Haddin], he said he was in the perfect position and it was just one of the ones that bounced a little bit and didn't stick.
"I thought he was outstanding today, he was really clean and crisp with great energy. I'm sure he would have been nervous here because he hasn't played for a long time, but he didn't look it out there. He had a really good day."
Cummins also praised Lyon's performance with the ball after he recorded figures of 0-40 off his 24 overs.
The off-spinner caused a stir two days before the start of the series when saying he was hoping to help end some England careers this winter.
"We talk about special plays, or an outstanding effort, and for us today that cracked open the partnership when Vince was looking pretty set. It was a huge effort.
"I thought he bowled absolutely beautifully today. I don't know how he doesn't have six-for, let alone one.
"I said to him he should say stuff before every game, with the way he bowled today. He was loving it. He's just one of those guys who loves getting into the contest. He loves backing up his team-mates and I thought he bowled beautifully."
