Cummins looks ahead to overseas challenges after Ashes triumph

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The captain believes Australia are building a side that can compete in all conditions

Australia are confident a dominant Ashes series win can start “something big” as they hunt the away wins required to become the best Test side in the world.

Pat Cummins enjoyed a dream start to his captaincy career, securing a 4-0 series victory over England late on day three of the fifth Test.

Cummins and team-mates will toast their triumph before switching attention to a white-ball series against New Zealand later this month.

Test tours of Pakistan and Sri Lanka then await, with Cummins determined to ensure his side secure a spot in the 2023 World Test Championship final.

“To be the best side in the world you have to win at home but, almost more importantly, you need to be successful overseas,” Cummins said in Hobart. “We haven’t played a whole lot overseas in the last couple of years. Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India next year, England – it’s all really foreign conditions.

“That will be our challenge. I feel we are really well suited with a squad of 15 plus extras, who aren’t here and can offer a lot in those conditions. This is hopefully the beginning. I feel we’re all in a really good place.

“There’s no imminent retirees, so hopefully we’re building something big the next few years.”

The pitch in Karachi, where Australia’s first Test against Pakistan is slated to begin on March 3, is unlikely to resemble the green deck at Bellerive.

However, Cummins believes a summer spent on uncharacteristically bowler-friendly strips will hold Australia in good stead as they seek to adapt overseas.

“The way we played on day one, we were 3 for 12 in quite foreign conditions to what we normally expect in Australia – green seaming wicket,” he said.

“The way Marnus [Labuschagne], Trav Head, Cameron Green took on the game was a really good template for any conditions that are really foreign.
“We can be the type of team that are brave enough to take that positivity overseas if we need to. That puts us in a great place…I’m really excited about the upcoming Pakistan tour.”

The IPL, sandwiched between Australia’s trips to Pakistan and Sri Lanka, shapes as a huge challenge in terms of managing player burn-out. The lucrative Twenty20 tournament falls during players’ leave period.

Cummins, last bought for $3.17 million in the 2019 IPL auction, is yet to make a final decision but currently plans on taking part.

“No advice for anyone else,” Cummins said. “You’ve got to be aware of it [workload concerns]. It could be a lot of time on the road. Some people manage that better than others.

“You have to know what you’re signing up for. It could be a longish winter but the last couple of winters have been quiet at home.”

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