Pat Cummins said Australia needed to display their perfect game in the World Cup 2019 semi-finals against England, saying they won league games without playing their perfect game, but this game was for the best and perfect after losing final berth to the hots on Thursday, 11th July.
However, Cummins admitted that the defending champions played with same passion and excitement in Birmingham like group phase, but failed to pull out their perfect game which cost them a final spot to England, who reached the final of the showpiece event for the first time since 1992.
Australia’s World Cup 2019 ended on a disappointing note with massive 8-wicket defeat against England, and Cummins said it was unfortunate for the Kangaroos, but the paceman was proud of his teammates the way they played throughout the showpiece event.
Cummins told media, “We managed to win games without playing our perfect game. Every time we finished games; we spoke about areas we can improve on. We got better the whole way through. Against South Africa, we got a few things wrong and still almost won. Today we just didn't play our best.”
He further went on to explain, “The thing going into this game was just the excitement and to give ourselves the best chance to come to the semifinal. We did that, played exactly how we wanted to (in the league stage). We were always chasing the perfect game, it just didn't come. We probably needed that today. But really proud of how we've all played. we've had a few injuries but the new guys have come in, it's been a great group.
"I'm annoyed and peeved at the moment but I'll wake up tomorrow and be proud of where we've come from. Last 12 months if you'd told us we'd be in the semifinal, come second in the group stage, we'd have been really happy. Knockout stages, it happens that you get beaten by the better team on the day. It's unfortunate but really proud of our tournament.”
Meanwhile, the paceman also admitted it was a bit tough to defend below-par total like 223 on a good wicket, though, they tried to do the same but failed, as England chased down the target in 32.1 overs.
Cummins signed off by saying, “It's really hard with a total like that. If you're defending 200 odd and you don't get an early wicket, they can play with a lot of freedom. We wanted to bowl with a lot of energy, try and get a couple of wickets. Didn't happen, pretty tough from there.”
(With AFP Inputs)
