‘I was wrong’: Cummins’ biggest critic ‘happy to eat my words’ after MCG masterclass

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.

“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.”