Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins has revealed that Australian cricketers are in contact with each other and are enjoying their time separately during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Cummins, 26, also opened up on coach Justin Langer sending them workout videos everyday.
“It’s weird because you spend every day with the boys and we haven’t seen anyone. We’ve been contacting each other via WhatsApp. David Warner is very vocal on his gym sessions, his house looks like the Rocky 4 movie!
“Justin Langer has been sending workout videos every day. Everyone’s been enjoying their time separately but keeping in touch. By the time we get back on tour we’ll be annoying each other in person rather than just over the phone,” Cummins was quoted as saying by BBC.
Australia, who were in the middle of hosting New Zealand for a three-match ODI series before travelling across the Tasman sea to play three T20Is, played the first ODI under closed doors before both the series were cancelled.
Both the series were part of the many cricket tournaments which got postponed due to the global crisis. In addition to the same, Australia’s tour of Bangladesh has also been postponed of late.
Had it not been for the coronavirus scare, Cummins would have been playing for Kolkata Knight Riders in Indian Premier League. It is worth mentioning that the right-arm fast bowler was bought for a gargantuan INR 15.5 crore in the IPL auction.
On being recently asked about the revised starting date of IPL 2020, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly had pointed out “no change in the situation” as a reason behind him not being able to provide a concrete answer.
Originally scheduled to begin last month, IPL 2020 has been delayed till April 15 and it doesn’t need to be mentioned that the cash-rich league will further get delayed.
Raced and paced his way to the top! 🙌
The number 1 Test bowler has also made his way into the elite list of ‘Wisden Cricketers of the Year 2019’ along with @JofraArcher @Simon_Harmer_ @EllysePerry#MarnusLabuschagne 🌟#KorboLorboJeetbo #KKR #Cricket #Wisden @patcummins30 pic.twitter.com/iQTcDwOPVd
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) April 8, 2020
Being asked about the prospect of playing in front of empty stands, Cummins readily agreed to do the same much like Chennai Super Kings spinner Harbhajan Singh. Laying emphasis on finding balance between safety and normality, Cummins didn’t express any concern regarding playing behind closed doors.
“Of course, whatever it takes to try and get cricket up and play those big events safely. The first priority is safety but the second one is getting back to normality. It’s finding that balance. If that unfortunately means no crowds for a while then that’s that but hopefully people can watch at home on television,” Cummins said.
