Cummins: No Let-Up in Intensity as Australia Targets Victory in Sydney Test

Australia skipper Pat Cummins said that there would be no let up in intensity despite the hosts grabbing a 2-1 lead heading into the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, beginning here on Friday.

A dominating 184-run victory in the Boxing Day Test has placed Australia in pole position to reclaim the Trophy for the first time since 2014-15.

"It's a preferred position, always, but you know, you go in every Test trying to win, so it's not different this week," Cummins said.

"But I'm really happy with how the boys have played in the last three Tests. We've shown that we've been the front-runners, and the aim again this week is to keep it up," he added.

The skipper, however, conceded there are some issues with the Aussies' batting.

"I think, no doubt, there are times when we would have liked to score more runs. In that last game in Melbourne, we would have liked to push that lead out to 400-500, given we were in such a good position. But that’s Test cricket."

The pitch at the Sydney Cricket Ground may feel a little different from the usual surfaces where the spinners loved their outings while offering plenty of help to batters as well, said Cummins.

It's difficult to say exactly, but it's a little different from what you'd typically get at the SCG. I thought the two Shield wickets this year played reasonably well. The teams were pretty happy with the wicket and seemed to think it was holding up alright. There was just a bit on offer for the bowlers - and runs to be scored.

"It looks pretty good. No doubt there'll be stages where it's good for batting, but potentially it will break up and spin towards the end. You never really know whether weather plays a part here as well. I've played a few Test matches here, but outside of that, only one-days and stuff, so I'm no expert."

Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been a thorn in Australia's flesh all series. The right-arm quick was responsible for India's only win in the series at Perth, and has swung the momentum in favour of the visitors several times.

"No doubt he's bowling well at the moment. He's tough (to face)."

Hopefully, when I come into play, it's very late in the day, so he will have bowled fairly enough. To me, though, I'd faced him across the globe on various formats fairly enough but there is that kind of a challenge that arises before me: That is Bumrah for sure.

"Last game, it helped that I was at the non-striker's end," he said with a chuckle.

Cummins has significantly added to his batting credentials recently, rescuing Australia from difficult positions across formats. The 31-year-old confessed that letting go of the worry about consequences has been instrumental in his success.

"It's something I've always worked hard at. But, you know, candidly, you never quite know what you are going to get with my batting. I feel for a bit, perhaps because I was worried that I didn't want to be out and everything, you bat with your hands tied behind your back in ways.".

"Now I hardly overthink these things. But I would take a look at scores, then probably just go around and look where to score shots, forget many things happening by playing the best shots. Still, always be reminded of batsmanship. When it does seem ugly, even try to score just a few."

The aggressive approach taken by the teenager at the Boxing Day Test was one which no one in the world was prepared for. Young Sam Konstas and his adaptability received praises from the skipper.

"I think he showed how adaptable he can be. That takes a lot of skill, first of all. We always encourage our players to read the moment and play how they see fit.".

"So, for Sam, he felt the time was to attack and put pressure back on the bowlers, and he did that. It might be different this week.".

"It may be, 'I am going to play a slow game' and score runs in that way. So our message is always just to back yourself, have really clear plans, and back your decision-making," Cummins added.