Experience is the key to victory for Australia

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July 07, 2025 09:57 IST

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'As a captain it makes my life a lot easier knowing you've got lots of settled players there.'

 Pat Cummins

IMAGE: Australian captain Pat Cummins. Photograph: cricket.com.au/X

The wealth of experience in Australia's ranks helps them find solutions in difficult situations, captain Pat Cummins said after his side played themselves out of trouble to secure a series-clinching 133-run win over the West Indies on Sunday.

 

Australia's squad for the three-Test series features seven cricketers who have played more than 50 Tests and is largely made up of players in their 30s, with Sam Konstas (19), Cameron Green (26) and Matthew Kuhnemann (28) the only exceptions.

That experience shone through in the second Test as Steve Smith scored a crucial knock of 71 to rescue them from a worrying 28-3 in the second innings, while Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc took three wickets apiece on day four.

"I think (experience) is a big part of it, we spoke about someone like a Steve Smith coming back," Cummins told reporters.

"He might not have played at Grenada but he's played on lots of wickets where you've got to find a different way to score.

"It might not be big drives down the ground or whatever it is, you've got to scrap your way to a 50 and I think that comes through experience.

"With experience, you've seen a lot of the same problems before, you have a level of calmness that you can work your way through the problem. As a captain it makes my life a lot easier knowing you've got lots of settled players there."

The final Test will be a day-night match in Kingston from July 12.

"We've been trying to get our hands on some (pink balls) but we haven't got some yet. Hopefully they're waiting for us in Jamaica," Cummins said.

"My experience in pink-ball (tests) in Australia is you never quite know what you're going to get. We've played a lot, but things can change really quickly so even when you feel like you're on top things can change quite fast."