Andrew McDonald dismisses rumors that Pat Cummins will step down as Australia Test captain after keeping the Ashes as ‘far-fetched’ and hits back at the captain’s critics

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald dismissed the prospect of Pat Cummins stepping down as Test captain after the ongoing Ashes series after the team struggled with England in a tied fourth Test at Old Trafford.

Cummins endured his most difficult moment since taking the lead in October as England pushed for a win that leveled the series but was only thwarted by poor weather as Australia retained the Ashes urn.

Cummins, both Australia’s leader and pace leader, looked helpless against daring shots from Zak Crawley and Jonny Bairstow, while the short bowling trick he used floundered against England’s aggressive ‘bazball’ concept.

Former Victoria captain Darren Berry criticized Australia’s handling and predicted Cummins, who lost 5.6 per over in the game, would resign after the final Test at The Oval, which begins on Thursday.

McDonald called Berry’s comments “most interesting.”

Andrew McDonald has denied rumors Pat Cummins could step down as Australia captain

Cummins came under scrutiny in the fourth Test for his overly defensive tactics

“What I would say is that leadership takes all kinds of forms and we only live and die in the world of tactics,” the coach told reporters.

“I think it’s fair and reasonable to criticize some of the execution and tactics we’ve implemented, but even going so far as to have the captain resign after the series.”

“I think that would be far-fetched.

“There are opinions that we respect and there are opinions that we don’t respect.”

Asked if he thinks Cummins has become a soft target, McDonald said: “We all work together on the Australian cricket team.”

“It should never really matter to Pat as an individual, but unfortunately as a captain you wear that sometimes.”

Cummins, who has played all four games in the series, has denied the captain’s burden affected his own performance with the ball.

“I don’t believe [that was an issue],’ Cummins said after the draw.

“It was just a conversion, I was letting through more boundaries than I normally do.’ Probably just a bad ball or two per over.’

However, he was certain that Australia, not playing a special spinner at Old Trafford, would have to reconsider their strategy ahead of the final test.

“You’re definitely thinking about what you can try and do differently next time.” “That’s definitely going to be part of this week,” Cummins said.

Cummins picked up just one wicket in 23 overs at Old Trafford and allowed 129 runs at 5.6 per over

In the meantime, Glenn McGrath pushed for it Australia We want to follow England’s example and be more aggressive to win the Ashes this week.

“I hope Australia picks up some of the best of English style as they show up in south London and analyze what happened this week,” the Aussie star wrote in his BBC column on Monday.

‘I would like to see her [Australia] be more aggressive. Play with freedom and enter the field without fear.

“I’d rather see Australia lose the final test by supporting themselves and actually win it against England than go down with a whimper.”