Mondays can be tough, but thanks to our hybrid model, I get to work from home on Mondays, which actually made it a bit easier to catch the first ODI between Australia and Pakistan. It was a thrilling game, and while Australia clinched the victory, Pakistan's pacers, especially Haris Rauf, were on fire.
There was this one moment, though, that really grabbed my attention. I knew right then I had to write about it. So, here I am, putting down my thoughts.
Pakistan was batting first, but they struggled early on. Partnerships kept breaking down, and they were moving at just around 3.5 runs per over, almost like a Test match rate. Someone needed to break the shackles. Enters Kamran Ghulam, making his debut in Australia. Walking in at 63-3, he immediately showed intent. Facing his second ball, he confidently stepped down the track and smashed Adam Zampa straight down the ground for four. You could tell he was there to score and keep things moving.
But Cummins quickly spotted this aggression and began setting up a trap for the young batsman. Here’s how he did it, step-by-step:
18.4 Over – From the first ball he bowled to Kamran, Cummins sets up a field something like this below, bowls a short pitch delivery Kamran tried to pull a short-of-length delivery but found himself in an awkward position and could only manage to hit it on the bounce to mid-on. If that had been a bit higher, it might have gone straight to Sean Abbott. Cummins now knew Kamran was looking to attack short-pitched bowling, a crucial observation.
18.5 Over – Sensing an opportunity, Cummins adjusted the field, bringing in a deep fine leg, deep square leg, mid-wicket, and a short square leg. He bowled a length ball that Kamran defended back, but the field change was all part of Cummins’ plan to keep the batsman guessing and on his toes. Cummins had laid the groundwork, seeing Kamran’s intent to score but also his slight discomfort against short deliveries. Cummins decides to change the field for the last ball of the 19th over.
By adjusting the field and moving the fine leg finer and square leg to cow corner, Cummins set the perfect field for a potential mishit.
18.6 Over – Cummins delivered the knockout ball: a well-directed bouncer right at Kamran’s head. With fielders positioned for any mishit, Kamran had nowhere to go. Caught off guard, he instinctively tried to fend it off, but only managed to glove it to Josh Inglis, who took a simple catch behind the stumps.
Cummins’ strategy was flawless. By quickly reading Kamran’s mindset and tweaking his approach, he crafted a plan to perfection, using field adjustments and varying lengths to unsettle the debutant. It was a brilliant example of fast-bowling intelligence and tactical precision.
This is what sets him apart, making him truly one of the best. There’s a reason he’s widely regarded as one of the top captains in the world, and this was just one of many instances showcasing his sharp, strategic mind at work.
