No Rest for Fast Bowlers: Pat Cummins' Hint for Home Test Season

Australian skipper Pat Cummins suggests no rest for bowlers during the upcoming Test season, emphasizing that unless there are fitness concerns, they won't miss any matches. With an intense schedule ahead, including seven Test matches, the team is gearing up, with bowlers like Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood actively preparing.

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As international cricket returns to its regular rhythm of bilateral series, the recent triumph of Australia in the World Cup against India might seem like a distant memory. Yet, within eight days of their victory in Ahmedabad, the teams are back on the field, locking horns in T20Is. While Australia's World Cup-winning squad takes a breather, the cricketing action continues with a two-match Test series between New Zealand and Bangladesh, kicking off on November 28.

Looking ahead, Australia's Test season at home is set to commence with a three-match series against Pakistan starting on December 14. Pat Cummins, the skipper, has hinted at an unwavering commitment from the team's all-format bowlers. He emphasizes that unless there are pressing fitness concerns, these bowlers won't be sitting out any Tests.

Cummins sheds light on the perpetual challenges faced by bowlers, stating, "As a bowler, there's always something to contend with. You might feel a strain in one area, and the next day, it shifts elsewhere. While terms like 'rest' and 'rotation' are commonly thrown around, missing a Test only happens if there's a significant fitness issue."

Reflecting on their past experiences, Cummins acknowledges occasional rests but stresses that their sustained performance is a result of utilizing those short breaks efficiently. He firmly states, "If we're in optimal shape, we won't be taking any rests."

Australia's packed schedule spans seven Test matches from mid-December to March 2024. This itinerary includes three matches against Pakistan and two against the West Indies on home turf, followed by two matches against New Zealand away from home.

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Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, integral parts of Australia's seam attack, are back in the nets, honing their skills with the red ball in preparation for the Pakistan series. Starc underlines the shift in focus, remarking, "After relishing the World Cup success and the rigors of touring India, our minds and bodies swiftly switch to Test mode."

The preparation routine for the upcoming Test series involves intense bowling sessions for the likes of Starc and Hazlewood, interspersed with leisure activities like rounds of golf. This regimen aims to prepare the players both physically and mentally for the challenges that the grueling Test matches will bring forth.