Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins has acknowledged the challenges faced by his team in their recent Twenty20 series against India, following their victory in the 50-over World Cup.
With a busy home summer of cricket looming, Cummins emphasised the importance of managing player workload and providing opportunities for younger players.
Seven members of the World Cup-winning squad remained in India for the T20 series, which began just four days after the World Cup final. The hectic schedule and the demands of a World Cup campaign took a toll on the players, leading to a disappointing performance against a second-string Indian team.
To address this issue, fresh reinforcements, including Ben McDermott, Josh Philippe, and Chris Green, were sent to join the squad in India.
Cummins recognised the strain on the players, some of whom had been playing continuously since September, and expressed understanding for their dip in form.
"They're humans; they're not robots," Cummins said. "Putting everything into a World Cup and then playing a couple of days later—I probably don't begrudge them if they're not at 100 percent."
Despite the struggles in India, Cummins highlighted the importance of these tours in providing opportunities for younger players and those on the cusp of national selection.
He believed that these experiences can contribute to the overall development of the Australian cricket team.
Veteran opener David Warner, who was withdrawn from the T20 squad before the India series, is set to bid farewell to Test cricket after the upcoming series against Pakistan.
Warner's Test position has been under scrutiny due to a recent decline in red-ball form, but his contributions at the World Cup, where he was Australia's leading scorer with 535 runs, cannot be overlooked.
Cummins praised Warner's recent performances, stating that he is "hitting the ball beautifully at the moment." He commended Warner's aggressive and fearless approach, which played a significant role in Australia's World Cup success.
The first Test against Pakistan will commence on December 14 in Perth, followed by the iconic Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. The third and final Test will be played at Warner's home ground, the Sydney Cricket Ground, from January 3.
