Former Victorian captain Darren Berry got it wrong about Pat Cummins, but says he’s “so happy to eat my words” in a dramatic public apology.
Berry, a respected state-level wicket-keeper turned commentator and coach, excoriated Cummins’ captaincy during the Ashes series in England, particularly during day three of the humiliating Fourth Test defeat.
England posted a monster first innings total of 592 at Old Trafford.
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It was England’s first score above 500 in a home Ashes Test since 1985, while six of England’s top seven scored at least 50 runs – the first time England achieved that since 1930.
Cummins’ captaincy was widely criticised, especially for maintaining a short-ball barrage on day three, even when Johnny Bairstow demolished the bowlers in a 66-run 10th-wicket partnership with Jimmy Anderson.
At the time, Berry tweeted a bold claim that Cummins would resign from the captaincy after the Ashes.
Berry wrote: “Here is my take Pat Cummins is a magnificent cricketer no doubt but remember this msg. He will resign from the captaincy after the Ashes series. The Q is do they go back to Smudge or move forward to Head or Marsh? Ashton Turner T20.”
Berry had tweeted earlier that day: “This is unwatchable. Goodnight to all lovers of the game of our great game of cricket. This is absolutely insane to anyone watching this s**t with half a clue about the game. Enough is enough now keep banging ‘em in lads WTF.”
And when Cameron Green mercifully ended the innings by trapping Anderson LBW, Berry tweeted: “Well knock me over with a feather, a fast ball at the stumps to the No. 11 gets him out. I’m shocked. What a circus. Never seen anything like this ever.”
Cummins’ personal performance also saw him cop the worst statistics of his Test career, with figures of 1-129.
But he was strongly backed after the match by coach Andrew McDonald, who rejected Berry’s claims.
“I was across those comments from Darren. They were most interesting,” McDonald said.
“What I would say is leadership takes on all different shapes and forms.
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“And if we’re living and dying in the world of tactics only, then I think it’s fair and reasonable to critique some of the execution and tactics that we implemented.
“But to go as far as suggesting that the captain resign post-series I think is a bit far fetched.
“There are opinions that we respect and opinions that we don’t.”
Now Berry is eating his words, after Cummins delivered a tactical masterclass – and a personal 10-wicket haul – in the Boxing Day Test.
Berry took to Twitter to write: “Pat Cummins I was wrong. I questioned your tactical nous and your tenure as skipper during the frustrating Ashes series.
“Once again today at the G you have lead our country over the line with your big [heart emoji] & immense skill, they were never in question. Im so happy to eat my words.”
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