KOLKATA: It sounds strange when a cricketer marks a match in which he wasn't even playing, as the highlight of his career. But Pat Cummins is quite certain that the final of the 2015 ODI World Cup, even though he was on the bench, will always remain right at the top for him.
"Absolutely. I always say that the final of 2015 was my career highlight, even though I wasn't playing," Cummins said on Wednesday, ahead of their semifinal clash against South Africa at the Eden Gardens here on Thursday. "It was the most magical moment. MCG packed and whole Australia behind us. Yeah, I wasn't there in the playing XI….but yeah the highlight would be that final."
For the records, Australia beat New Zealand by 7 wickets to win their fifth World Cup title. Eight years later, as Cummins stands one step away from another World Cup final, he is drawing motivation from that match.
This time of course, his role will be different and much more defined. As the captain of a side that has hit its stride after the initial hiccups, Cummins is hoping to lead his mates all the way to the title. Nothing different, though, insisted Cummins, the basics remain the same. "We have come a long way since the start of the tournament. We have been improving constantly over the past month," he added, a sort of assertion that they are primed to stake claim to the trophy.
Australia do have the advantage of experience as a number of the players were part of the 2021 T20 World Cup-winning team. A few were also part of the 2015 campaign. "It's nice to have guys that have won the World Cup, various other tournaments and have been in big moments. I think that really helps. You can draw on that in the middle of a contest," the skipper said. At the same time, he is aware that on Thursday they are against an opponent who have not really performed up to their potential in World Cups. "Hard to speak on their behalf, but yes South Africa haven't quite achieved what they set out to do in World Cups. As for us, we feel lucky that we have been in these situations quite a bit and we know what it takes," he said. "But then you don't get bogged down by history. You get more excited by the challenge."
Talking about history, Cummins agreed the great Australia sides of the past, led by the likes of Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting, are an inspiration. "They drive you on." The past greats would be rooting for Cummins' boys.
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