Colombo - Agencies
Pat Cummins fired the first salvo ahead of Australia’s opening Super Eights clash against India, saying his side would seek to exploit India’s weakness against the short-pitched delivery.
India and Australia both came away with 100% records from Groups A and B respectively in the ICC World Twenty20 2012, and will lock horns at the R Premadasa Stadium on Friday night.
“A few of them aren’t too fond of the short ball,” said Cummins, 19, after a training session at the P Sara Oval on Tuesday afternoon. “We will try and ruffle a few feathers. You know, (Suresh) Raina and (Gautam) Gambhir and a few of those guys, they are never comfortable with the short ball and we are probably gonna dig in a couple of them. Hopefully, that pays off.”
It was Australia’s first practice session for a couple of days, the team having been given time off after victory over the West Indies onSaturday to re-energise itself. “A few guys went down to Galle for some rest and a few others played golf,” revealed Cummins. “Today, it (the training session) was a bit of fun. We had a good hit in the nets, everyone is fine, there are no injury concerns. We are looking forward to Friday.”
Australia didn’t have the best bowling day in its final league encounter, when the West Indies amassed 191 for 8. Cummins himselffaded after a bright start; after beginning with a maiden, he finished with 1 for 40 from his four overs. Australia’s overall bowling didn’t go down too well with Mickey Arthur, and Cummins said the coach had every reason to be dissatisfied.
“Yeah, we weren’t pretty pleased as well,” said Cummins on behalf of the bowling unit. “We had plans but probably we didn’t execute them all. We are trying to work on that and we are trying to make sure that we go in with a clean mind and clean plan and not get ruffled or too disturbed at all.”
From gulftoday