The Australian coaching staff declared captain Pat Cummins has had an “exceptional” Ashes series amid accusations the skipper looked lost and confused during England’s day two batting assault in Manchester.
Through the opening three Tests of the series, two of which Australia won, Cummins met and potentially exceeded expectations as a bowling captain, taking 14 wickets at an average of just 23.
His matchwinning efforts with the ball and then the bat in the opening clash at Edgbaston were rightly lauded and he was miserly in the face of England’s attempt at a Bazball batting blitz at Lord’s.
But since being dismissed for one with the bat in the second innings of the third Test at Headingley, won by the home team to keep the series alive, Cummins has seemingly floundered.
The Australian skipper went at…