“It would have been nice to have a beer with them,” Pat Cummins finally sheds light on Ashes DRINK controversy

After their Test victory, rumors circulated that the English team didn't take part in the traditional celebratory beverages with the home team, which sparked speculation.

“It would have been nice to have a beer with them,” Pat Cummins finally sheds light on Ashes DRINK controversy

Pat Cummins ( via ABP news )

In the aftermath of the thrilling Ashes 2023 series, the Australian captain Pat Cummins, has broken his silence on the post-match drink controversy. During a recent Cricket Australia event at the famous Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Cummins explained on the events surrounding the traditional post-series beverage shared by both teams. After their Test victory, rumors circulated that the English team didn’t take part in the traditional celebratory beverages with the home team, which sparked speculation. Notably, conflicts have developed during the series, including Jonny Bairstow’s bitter dismissal from Lord’s.

The situation worsened when Australian players, including Pat Cummins, intended to enter the English dressing room after the final Test for the customary drink but found the door locked. Later, England’s team clarified that the missed refreshment session was a result of post-match events for retiring players and select officials. Ben Stokes, the captain of England, explained on Twitter that, due to prolonged post-game activities, both teams eventually met at a venue.

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“It would have been nice to have a beer with them“, admitted the Australian skipper. He added, “After a great Ashes, it would have been good. Not to be. I think they had a fair few meetings on in their change room and we hung around for a bit. But we had a pretty good night.”

Travis Head, an Australian cricketer, confirmed that his team were waiting outside England’s dressing room for nearly an hour in hopes of a traditional post-match handshake. Head also stressed that England’s actions weren’t meant to snub, attributing the situation to a timetable misalignment rather than any willful avoidance. Despite the controversy, both teams maintained friendly relations throughout the entire series, with only minimal sledging reported. In an earlier interview, Head explained that it was again by choice that both teams ended up in the same location.

Related: “Selection of the team is not my job,” Ravichandran Ashwin claims he can’t be first-choice spinner in overseas Tests due to Ravindra Jadeja’s batting form

Pat Cummins backs Mitchell Marsh as new Australia ODI captain after the World Cup

Australia's skipper, Pat Cummins, has spoken out about the post-Ashes drink controversy for the first time. Cummins has explained what happened to cause the confusion.
Mitchell Marsh and Pat Cummins ( image via ABP news )

Mitchell Marsh, the newly named T20I captain, has been recommended by Cummins to lead the ODI squad against South Africa in his absence. Given the number of ODIs before the World Cup, Cummins wouldn’t be surprised if some players miss a game. If Mitch fails to perform, someone else may come up.

Australia’s squad: Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

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