Cummins rejects preparation blame for Bangladesh shock

Australia Test captain Pat Cummins has dismissed claims that inadequate preparation was behind their surprise nine-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in the opening Test of their two-match series last month.

Cummins said Australia would have followed the same preparation routine regardless of the opponent, insisting the team were fit, ready and in a good place before the match.

“It’s a Test against the Ashes, or it’s a series against Bangladesh, we would prepare exactly the same,” Cummins said.

Australia struggled badly with the bat in the first Test as Bangladesh secured a memorable victory. The visitors, however, bounced back strongly in the second match, winning by an innings to level the series.

Cummins admitted Australia failed to perform at their best in the opener and credited Bangladesh for capitalising on their mistakes.

“I think we just didn’t play well,” he said on the Keeping It Cricket podcast. “It wasn’t a lack of preparation. We weren’t at our best. Bangladesh played really well and didn’t give us much of a chance to get back into the game.”