Sources: 1
Australia’s captain Pat Cummins has issued a warning about South Africa’s challenge in defending their World Test Championship (WTC) title, led by skipper Temba Bavuma.
Cummins praised the Proteas for their depth and resilience, stating they have "multiple match-winners to pose a challenge" and that they "always seem to compete in every tournament." This underscores South Africa’s reputation as a fierce competitor on the international stage.
On the Australian side, Cummins confirmed that Steve Smith, a prolific batsman with 6,531 runs at an average of 61.61 in 120 Test innings at No. 4, will continue in that key batting position. Smith’s experience and consistency are seen as vital to Australia’s WTC defense.
"I can confirm that Smudge will be batting at four," Cummins said in a recent interview with The Grade Cricketer on Prime Video Australia.
Cummins also reflected on Australia’s recent success, noting that winning two WTC titles would be "incredible," but even one title is a testament to the team’s quality over recent years.
"But, yeah, I think two (WTC titles) would be incredible. One, I think, is still a pretty good demonstration of how good we’ve been over the past few years," he added.
As the series approaches, the battle between Australia’s experienced lineup and South Africa’s determined squad led by Bavuma promises to be a highlight in the ongoing WTC saga.
Sources: 1
Australia’s captain Pat Cummins acknowledges South Africa’s Temba Bavuma as a formidable leader in the World Test Championship defense, highlighting the Proteas’ multiple match-winners and consistent competitiveness, while confirming Steve Smith will bat at No. 4 in the upcoming series.
