20 June 2023 , 19:36
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It turns out this Ashes series will not just have one inspirational leader to marvel at. It turns out there is another talismanic skipper, another who can inspire his team-mates by swashbuckling example.
Another who can grab victory from defeat’s jaw, another fearless frontman. In many ways, Pat Cummins and Ben Stokes cut contrasting figures, the rockstar and the lad next door who has done good.
But both are irrepressible flag-bearers for their national team. And if Stokes and England did not know they have a formidable captain in opposition this summer, they do now.
Because while all manner of incidents and decisions will be highlighted when it comes to deconstructing this painful English loss, one indisputable fact glows the brightest.
When Australia were staring defeat in the face - when Alex Carey smashed a return catch to Joe Root to leave them eight down with 54 still left to win - Cummins stood tall.
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He might even have thought, momentarily, about the possibility of asking his tailenders to help him try and see out an unlikely draw.
Instead, he took matters into his own hands and landed a blow on Stokes and England that, even at this early stage, will take some recovering from.
And remember, this was the man who bowled the first ball of this contest and was dispatched to the boundary. He did not take a wicket in that first innings but took four in England’s second innings, including the scalp of his opposite number.
But that was nothing compared to the agony Cummins’ bat inflicted on Stokes late on Tuesday. There are captain’s knocks and there are captain's knocks. Don’t forget, Cummins had smashed three sixes in his first innings cameo of 38.
Pat Cummins celebrates with his batting partner Nathan Lyon (Getty)There were two more in his match-winning second innings knock but the clean striking was only half the story. There was composure in nerve-shredding pressure, there was calmness amidst the English storm. If there is one person who has been significantly unmoved by the Bazball hype, it is Cummins.
Australia needed 72 to win when Cummins came out at the fall of the seventh wicket and 54 when the eighth wicket went down. At that latter point, bookmakers had Australia at 12-1 to claim victory.
But, unlike a certain England captain, this is a skipper who clearly has a penchant for defying the odds, a skipper who does not take a backward step.
Privately, Stokes and England will probably reproach themselves for a variety of failings.
England skipper Ben Stokes reacts as Australia edge the winFor failing to score more in the second innings, for that declaration on day one, for some errors in the field, maybe even for the gamble of playing Moeen Ali.
But sometimes, it is just best to say tribute to the opposition, who played hardball against Bazball and were led by a captain who inspired his team by his own deeds in much the same way Stokes can do.
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Fittingly, it was Cummins who hit the winning runs and who lifted his batting partner, Nathan Lyon, into the air. When the Australian pair had finished celebrating, Stokes sought out Cummins for a handshake and an embrace.
The mutual respect was obvious. Stokes himself has long known that he would have the most formidable of direct opponents in what promises to be an epic Ashes series. And now, the whole of England knows.