Pat Cummins shuts down excuses from India skipper after Test final
Rohit Sharma has called for changes to the World Test Championship final in the wake of India's loss to Australia.
Australian captain Pat Cummins has hit back at criticism from India in the wake of the World Test Championship final, after Cameron Green's controversial catch to dismiss Shubman Gill in the second innings. Indian captain Rohit Sharma suggested a three-Test series would be a better measure, a prospect swiftly shut down by his Aussie counterpart after the match.
Green's catch to dismiss Gill was confirmed by the third umpire - but it was nonetheless a marginal call, and one which prompted an outcry from Indian fans as well as players on the ground. Sharma said he was frustrated by it after the match, saying it was the kind of decision that required umpires to be '100 per cent sure' before it could be given out.
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Sharma also objected to how quickly the decision was made by third umpire Richard Kettleborough, as well as suggesting further camera angles to check if the ball had touched the ground should have been used. Speaking after the match, Cummins said both teams simply had to accept the decisions made by umpires and trust in their process.
“He’s probably the best umpire in the world, he knows the rule book, he’s seen every angle,” Cummins said. “I’d back his decision more so than emotional, passionate fans that are looking on a big screen from 100m away.”
A frustrated Gill hit his bat on his pads after being given out, later taking to social media to share a still image which appeared to show part of the ball touching the ground, accompanied by a series of emojis. Green had to endure chants of 'cheat' from vocal Indian fans at The Oval.
"They are passionate fans, but I thought it was a fair catch," Cummins said. "It was an absolute screamer and obviously we're just players, we're out on the field so we leave it in the umpire's hands."
Cummins rejects Sharma's call for three-match finals series
Sharma also lamented that India's hopes rested on a singular deciding Test, calling for the final to expand to a three-game series, with potentially more than one venue. He said there should be finals played outside of England.
“A three-match series would be nice ... you work hard for two years and then you have only one shot at it. You cannot get into that momentum that you need for Test cricket. In the next cycle ... a three-match series would be ideal,” Rohit said.
“June is not the only month we should play the final. It can be played any time of the year and anywhere in the world. Not just in England.”
However Cummins was quick to dismiss that suggesting, pointing out that both teams had played in the vicinity of 20 Test matches in order to make it to the final. To the amusement of assembled reporters, a smiling Cummins said he had 'no qualms' about the winner-takes-all final.
“Ideally you’d have a 50-match series but the Olympics have come down to one race to win a gold medal. AFL, NRL seasons have finals. That’s sport,” Cummins said.
“To make it to the final you’ve got to win everywhere in the world. I think this cycle was 20 Test matches. I think we might have only lost three or four out of the 20.
"The boys were fantastic the whole way through. We adapted well and that’s what makes it so satisfying.”
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