Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, has achieved a significant milestone by entering the prestigious 500 international wickets club during the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India.
In a game that saw the Australian skipper shine both as a leader and a bowler, Cummins maintained intense pressure on India’s top order, ultimately finding success against the tailenders. His notable victims included Washington Sundar and Jasprit Bumrah, with Cummins concluding the innings with impressive figures of 2/37 from 15.2 overs. This performance cemented his entry into the 500 wickets club, making him the seventh Australian to reach this landmark.
Cummins has participated in 214 international matches, claiming 500 wickets at an average of 24.45 and an economy rate of 3.76. Among Australian bowlers, only the legendary Glenn McGrath boasts a better average of 21.75 from his 948 wickets in 375 matches. Cummins now joins other illustrious Australians like Shane Warne, McGrath, Brett Lee, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson, and Nathan Lyon, who have all surpassed the 500-wicket threshold.
Unstoppable 👊
Pat Cummins registered his third consecutive five-wicket haul in an innings in Tests🔥#WTC25 | #AUSvPAK 📝 https://t.co/9HGJrXtJyq pic.twitter.com/WsVp6maFn2
— ICC (@ICC) January 3, 2024
In Test cricket, Cummins has made 66 appearances, securing 289 wickets at an average of 22.54 and a strike rate of 46.4. His One-Day International (ODI) record includes 143 wickets from 90 matches at an average of 28.78 and a strike rate of 32.7. Additionally, in Twenty20 Internationals, he has taken 66 wickets in 57 matches, averaging 23.57 and a strike rate of 19.0.
In the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Cummins has emerged as the second-highest wicket-taker, claiming 22 wickets. He trails behind India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who has taken 31 wickets at an impressive average of 12.65 in the series.