Pat Cummins' stint as captain of the Australian Test side is off to a flier as the fast bowler led from the front to reduce England to 147 all out by just the second session of the first Ashes Test.
Cummins became the first Australian captain to take a five-wicket haul in an Ashes Test since Richie Benaud (1962), who also last did it at the Gabba in Brisbane.
The Aussie fast bowlers harrowed the visitors after England captain Joe Root opted to bat first, a decision he would soon regret as the green wicket allowed the quicks to run riot.
The captain ended the innings with 5 for 38 after picking up the last three wickets, but it was Josh Hazlewood's opening spell of 2 for 3 from seven overs that really set the tone.
5️⃣🇦🇺#Ashes pic.twitter.com/jwPdOAigTG
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 8, 2021
Though Ollie Pope (35) and Jos Buttler (39) steadied the ship a bit after the collapse of the top order, it would not last long as Mitchell Starc (2 for 35) joined the party.
The two sides headed for the tea break after England's capitulation, but heavy rains and bad light combined to prevent any further play on Day 1.
England, notably, are without both James Anderson and Stuart Broad—the first Ashes series without either since 2006.
Cummins coming good
For Cummins, the new phase in his career could not have gone started any better. He was made Australia's first fast bowler captain in 64 years after Tim Paine stepped down last month over a sexting scandal.
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Cummins was the natural replacement as he was vice-captain and has been an influential figure in the team. At 28, he has played 35 Tests and has 169 scalps, forming a formidable strike partnership with Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.
The Australian captaincy has witnessed several lows in the last few years with Steve Smith's involvement in the 'Sandpapergate' and Paine's recent admission and withdrawal.
Cummins is expected bring composure, strong values, stability and cricketing intelligence to a role that is highly regarded in Australian society, and he has the backing of everyone around him to succeed.
A strong start to the 2021 Ashes could be a sign of things to come.
