Easily the best bowler for Australia in the ongoing series against South Africa, Pat Cummins, revealed it was unusual for him not seeing the disgraced trio of Australian cricket take the field at Johannesburg.
Australian cricket, at the moment, is mitigating with the disaster which unfolded at Newlands, Cape Town.
As a result, Australia’s leadership group feat. Steven Smith and David Warner were banned for 12 months for bringing disgrace to their culture.
Pat Cummins, who recently clinched a five-wicket haul, claimed it was tough for him and the rest of the cricketers due to the recent events.
“It’s been tough, especially those couple of days after Cape Town,But the day before the match we spoke about that it’s still a Test match for Australia, let’s find a way. We spoke about energy,” suggested Cummins.
“When it started yesterday it was a bit weird not seeing Davey and Smithy and Bangers out there,” Pat Cummins told ABC Radio.
Meanwhile, bowling coach of Australia, David Saker, mentioned the focus of the team was to look after each other.
“We’re trying to put in a performance that the Australian nation, and our group, are proud of. So far that hasn’t happened, but the effort’s been there and there’s no doubt in the dressing room the guys are trying their hardest,” revealed David Saker according to cricket.co.au.
Saker disclosed watching the emotional press conferences of Smith, Warner and Bancroft, affected the rest of the team.
“Watching Steve, Cameron and now David do it (apologise to the nation and break down in tears at press conferences), it’s quite upsetting for a lot of the guys,” Saker added.
It would be crazy to think that there wouldn’t be an effect: Bavuma
Further, Saker claims the trio had been a vital part of the team success for a while, and therefore, it has been difficult for the Australian team to focus on the job at hand.
“Also, we’re thinking about the people that are part of our team that we’ve lost and that’s hurting a lot of people, That’s probably something that’s hard to get out of their mind while they’re playing,” concluded the bowling coach.
Temba Bavuma, who fell heart-breakingly short of his second ton at Wanderers, could relate to the mental condition of the Australian players.
“It would be crazy to think that there wouldn’t be an effect. They have lost players that play a pivotal role in their success. They lost their captain and I would like to think that they depend a lot on him in all aspects of their game,” quoted Temba Bavuma.
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