Cricbuzz
You wonder if Patrick Cummins ever thought being Test captain would mean donning a helmet and standing at silly point. Or for that matter being told, maybe in jest, by one of his slip fielders that he had "Marnus covered" in that spot. Much to Marnus Labuschagne's annoyance of course, who'd go, "Not that easyyyy.."
You wonder if Patrick Cummins ever imagined being Test captain meant dealing with a situation, where he's got 3 overs left to snare the final two wickets of an England innings to keep the chances of an Ashes whitewash alive. And then be told he can't use any of his fast bowlers, including himself.
You wonder if Patrick Cummins ever realised being Test captain meant that someday he'll have James Anderson and Stuart Broad standing in his way as the last resort, but with bats in hand. And all he'll have at his disposal to combat them is Steve Smith with the ball. That too not without resistance as was overheard over the stump mic.
"You have to go with Marnie mate. He's done it before. He's the Queensland destroyer," you could hear someone from the slip cordon, possibly Usman Khawaja, say as Cummins and the brain trust got together to discuss their options.
You wonder if Patrick Cummins could have asked for a better Test match and a better final session to learn more about Test cricket. To learn about the absolute joys and frustrations that come from being at the helm. To really understand what it means to be Test captain.
It was Smith who'd played a huge hand in putting Australia right back in front on the final evening, by taking an executive decision as vice-captain to have Labuschagne placed at silly-point for the well-set Jonny Bairstow. And it was his trusted lieutenant, who he'd demanded to have by his side when asked to lead his country, that he turned to in the crunch.
"Play the sweep, come on you have to play the sweep," Marnus could be heard egging a determined Jack Leach on from short-leg. You wonder for that matter if Jack Leach ever imagined his major contribution on an Ashes tour would be playing a hand in saving a Test. Well, Ben Stokes had told him that though and even prepared him for this eventuality during a half-hour net session at the Gabba before the start of the series. Stokes' premonition was, not surprisingly, on target. And Leach to his credit had shown great gumption and game awareness in hanging in there for 33 deliveries.
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But does it even count as a thrilling draw if James Anderson isn't involved, even if only for a couple of overs? It's amazing that for all his musical connections, nobody has yet written a melancholic anthem for every time poor Anderson has to walk out to save a Test for his country. It did take a pretty good delivery though from Smith to ensure Anderson's arrival as Leach prodded at one and the edge carried to David Warner at slip off a ricochet. Smith was hoisted in the air by Labuschagne and the Aussies, who were anyway huddled together around the pitch, some in catching positions that are yet to find a mention in the coaching manual. The look on Broad's face at the non-striker's end though summed up the moment better than anything else we saw at the SCG on Sunday (January 9). There was the bit of disappointment that he'd lost his penultimate partner in the middle. But there also seemed to be that anticipation of being reunited with his ageless tag-team partner, to pull off an act that they'd never successfully done in their illustrious career as a tag-team. To hold aloft the title of being Test match saviours.