'Once he did it, the game changed' - Chris Rogers highlights Pat Cummins' match-turning assault against Joe Root

Australia were under tremendous pressure in the fourth innings of the Edgbaston Test in the ongoing Ashes 2023 as England were all over them after two quick wickets of Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey. However, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon held their nerves and played brilliant cricket to help the visiting team win the opening Test of the series by two wickets.

Meanwhile, analysing their partnership, former cricketer Chris Rogers lauded Cummins for his brilliant game reading as his 14-run over against Joe Root changed the momentum of the game and gave Australia the confidence of going the distance.

He believes that it was a very risky but calculative move as dynamics changed from that over. Post that, the Pat Cummins-led side needed 2-3 runs per over and it looked achievable as they eventually won the match comfortably. Talking about the same, Rogers mentioned that Cummins was well aware of what needed to be done and eventually took the responsibility to fulfill the task.

“It's a top-class player reading the game, knowing that was probably what he needed to do. He needed to somehow put some pressure back on England and he needed to take the upper hand, he needed to be the one who took responsibility. There was always going to be a risk in doing that but he felt that was calculated, no doubt, and once he did it, the game changed and just started to swing back a little bit Australia's way,” Rogers said in the latest episode of the SEN podcast.

That was simply incredible from Pat: Rogers

Rogers also lauded Cummins for his brilliant captaincy and eventually added the importance of head coach Andrew McDonald, who has been extremely successful for Australia in the recent past. 

“There are always going to be those questions about a fast bowler being captain but equally too the way that Cummins and Andrew McDonald have made this Australian team their own. There are always those kinds of critics in the background. 

“You need your best players to stand up and be counted. That was simply incredible from Pat. Just to steer the side home when they are in a lot of trouble, with still 50-odd to get, he took the responsibility upon himself and he got it done,” Rogers added.