‘Absolutely insane to anyone watching this s**t’ – McGrath lashes out on Pat Cummins for bad captaincy in 4th Ashes Test.

Australia started their Ashes 2023 campaign on a high note, clinching victories in the first two matches. However, their fortunes took a dramatic downturn as the series progressed, leaving them in a precarious situation. The ongoing fourth Test in Manchester has seen the team struggle, and another defeat looms large, posing a serious threat to their current standing. Both batting and bowling performances have been underwhelming, leading former cricketers Glenn McGrath and Darren Barry to criticize skipper Pat Cummins for his lackluster leadership in the crucial match.

In the initial innings of the fourth Test, Australia managed to post a modest 317 runs on a pitch that seemed tailor-made for batsmen to flourish. Unfortunately, their bowling display left much to be desired, as England capitalized and took a commanding lead of 275 runs. As the match entered Day 2, the Pat Cummins-led side found themselves in a challenging position, having already lost four wickets and trailing by 162 runs.

The disappointment among former cricketers is palpable. McGrath expressed his concern about Cummins, noting that the captain appeared fatigued and struggled to find the right approach during the match. He further suggested that appointing a fast bowler as the team’s leader always carries the risk of physical and mental strain, which could be affecting Cummins’ decision-making abilities. Moreover, McGrath observed that the Australian team seemed to lack a coherent plan, which has put them at a disadvantage in the ongoing fourth Ashes Test.

McGrath said “Australia tried a few things. I don’t think they really knew what to do. They were sort of chasing their tail a bit, and I’m not sure they executed their plans that well. Pat Cummins just looks a little bit tired and jaded to me, and that was always a risk of having a fast bowler as captain. 

“It’s one of those things; it’s about momentum, it’s about energy. England’s got the momentum now, and it’s always hard to steal it back off the team that has it, especially when they’re playing well.”