Australian captain Pat Cummins has left no room for complacency in his team’s approach to the upcoming Ashes series finale, despite officially retaining the coveted urn. Following a rain-marred fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester, which ended in a draw, the Men in Yellow ensured the series would remain in their grasp. However, Cummins has made it abundantly clear that they are not satisfied with retaining the Ashes; they treat the final Test as a must-win clash.
At the close of Day 4, Australia found themselves in a challenging position at 214-5, with all-rounders Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh holding the fort. England had to claim the final five wickets and were strong favourites to secure a victory. However, persistent rain played spoilsport, leaving the match in a deadlock.
With the Ashes effectively retained, even if Australia were to lose the final Test at the Oval and end the series in a 2-2 draw, they would still hold on to the urn as the current holders. Despite this advantageous situation, Cummins and his team are not content with retaining the Ashes. They approach the final Test with the same intensity and commitment as if the series were still on the line.
Cummins stated about the situation, “Our preference is to come over here and win the Ashes. This is not the greatest of circumstances, but happy to retain it now. What happened today doesn’t change how we look at the next game. It’s been an amazing group; we all became very motivated here. It will be a special week at the Oval.”
For Cummins and his teammates, lifting the urn is a dream come true, but the ultimate goal remains a series victory. He added, “In the last year or two, I’ve dreamed of lifting the urn. It’ll be special, but more special if we get a win. England batted really well, we tried a couple of plans but it didn’t work. We weren’t at our best, so we’ll look at that.”
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Old Trafford holds special significance for Australia, as it was the venue where they retained the Ashes during the 2019 series in England, with a triumphant win, thanks to Steve Smith’s outstanding double century.
As the final Test approaches, Cummins and his team understand the significance of this opportunity. They are determined to etch their names in history as the first Australian side to clinch a red-ball series victory in England since 2001. The players are fully aware of the importance of this moment and will leave no stone unturned in their quest for triumph on English soil. Their unwavering determination and focus will be displayed as they strive to make history in the Ashes finale at the Oval.
