In a stunning display of all-round prowess, Australian captain Pat Cummins has rewritten the record books with a career-best batting performance that left New Zealand's bowling attack in tatters during the first Test in Perth.
Captain's Incredible Innings
Pat Cummins, typically celebrated for his devastating bowling, emerged as an unlikely batting hero at Perth Stadium. The Australian skipper smashed a magnificent 64 from just 73 balls, marking his highest Test score and completely shifting the momentum of the match.
The dramatic turnaround came after Australia found themselves in a precarious position at 267-9. What followed was nothing short of spectacular as Cummins combined with tail-ender Nathan Lyon in a record-breaking tenth-wicket partnership that yielded 51 priceless runs.
Historic Partnership Rescues Australia
The partnership between Cummins and Lyon now stands as the highest tenth-wicket stand ever recorded at the Perth ground, surpassing the previous record of 35 runs. This remarkable collaboration pushed Australia's first innings total to 318, giving them a commanding 174-run lead.
Cummins' batting masterclass wasn't limited to his partnership with Lyon. Earlier in the innings, he combined with Mitchell Starc to add 52 crucial runs for the ninth wicket, further demonstrating his growing confidence with the bat.
Smith's Struggles Continue
While Cummins flourished, former captain Steve Smith's batting woes persisted. The star batsman fell for a disappointing 43, continuing his recent run of inconsistent form. Smith's dismissal came as he edged a delivery from New Zealand's Matt Henry to wicketkeeper Tom Blundell.
Australia's batting lineup showed both resilience and vulnerability throughout the innings. Opener Usman Khawaja provided a solid foundation with 45 runs, while Travis Head contributed 40 valuable runs to the total.
New Zealand's Bowling Efforts
The Black Caps' bowling attack, led by Matt Henry who claimed 4-82, initially appeared to have Australia on the ropes. Tim Southee and debutant William O'Rourke provided strong support, but they had no answer for Cummins' late-innings assault.
As the match progresses, all eyes will be on whether New Zealand can mount a comeback or if Australia's momentum, driven by their captain's extraordinary performance, will prove too much to overcome.
