Pat Cummins, the Australian Test captain and ICC T20 World Cup 2025-winning leader, has sharply criticised the Edgbaston pitch after India clinched a historic Test victory against England in Birmingham. In his blunt remarks, Cummins questioned the nature of the surface, stating, “Who wants to be a bowler over there?” as he joined a chorus of bowlers around the world lamenting the conditions that overwhelmingly favoured batters.
India’s Record-Breaking Win
India scripted history at Edgbaston by successfully chasing a record target of 378 runs in the fourth innings, surpassing their previous highest overseas chase of 406 against West Indies in Port of Spain in 1976. Led by Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant’s decisive partnerships and steely batting, the Indian team dominated the English attack on a pitch that showed little deterioration despite being a Day 5 surface.
Cummins’ Displeasure With The Edgbaston Surface
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Australia’s upcoming Ashes series, Cummins was asked about India’s chase and the general trend of pitches becoming more batter-friendly. The Australian skipper said:
“It’s entertaining, yes. But as a bowler, you wonder who wants to be a bowler over there. You toil hard, hit the right areas, and there’s nothing happening off the pitch.”
Cummins’ criticism was directed not only at Edgbaston but at the global trend of preparing flat pitches to ensure result-oriented games with high scores, which many bowlers argue is tipping the balance unfairly.
Edgbaston Pitch Behaviour During India-England Test
| Day | Behaviour | Impact on Match |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1-2 | Seam movement in the first session, flattening out by afternoon | Early breakthroughs for pacers; batters settled easily later |
| Day 3-4 | Minimal lateral movement, even bounce | Batters dominated; centuries by Gill and Pant |
| Day 5 | No cracks or variable bounce | India chased comfortably without alarming deliveries |
England’s bowlers, including James Anderson and Ollie Robinson, struggled to extract any reverse swing or assistance from the surface, while Indian pacers used tight lines and reverse swing more effectively earlier in the match.
Historical Perspective: Edgbaston’s Reputation
Traditionally, Edgbaston has favoured seamers with its swing-friendly conditions and occasional turn for spinners on Day 4 and 5. However, recent seasons have seen a marked change:
| Year | Notable Matches | Pitch Behaviour |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 Ashes Test | England vs Australia | Early seam, flattened by Day 3 |
| 2022 India vs England | Rescheduled Test | Flat track, high scoring chase |
| 2025 India vs England | Current Test | Flat pitch, record chase |
Cummins’ Broader Concerns
Cummins’ concerns reflect a growing frustration among pace bowlers worldwide about the standardisation of pitches to favour high-scoring games for viewership and sponsorship reasons. He further noted:
“Every Test nation wants entertaining cricket, but there’s a fine line. As bowlers, you need something off the wicket – whether seam, swing, or bounce. Otherwise, it becomes a one-dimensional contest.”
The Australian pace spearhead emphasised that while crowds love seeing runs, cricket remains a game of balance between bat and ball, which he believes is under threat with such pitches.
Global Trend Of Batting-Friendly Pitches
| Country | Recent Pitch Trends | Notable Matches |
|---|---|---|
| India | Turners or flat pitches, depending on series | England 2021, Australia 2023 |
| Australia | Generally bouncy, but some flat decks in Adelaide | Ashes 2021-22 |
| England | Increasing flat pitches post-2018 | Edgbaston 2022, 2025 |
| Pakistan | Criticised for dead Rawalpindi surfaces | England 2022 series |
Reaction From Indian Camp
Indian batting coach Vikram Rathour responded to Cummins’ comments, stating:
“Every team plays to their strengths. We have played on green tops in England and Australia. When it favours batters, bowlers need to adapt. Our bowlers created pressure here too.”
Rathour praised India’s adaptability and lauded the mental resilience of young batters like Gill and Pant in chasing the record target.
England’s Captain Ben Stokes On The Pitch
Ben Stokes, who led England during the Test, admitted that the pitch did not deteriorate as expected:
“We thought there’d be more wear and tear on Day 5. Credit to India for the chase, but yes, bowlers had little assistance.”
Impact On Upcoming Ashes Preparations
Cummins’ statements come at a crucial time as Australia prepare to face England for the Ashes later this month. The Australian team management has reportedly:
- Requested curators at Lord’s and The Oval to prepare traditional seaming wickets
- Ordered extra training sessions for bowlers to work on reverse swing and cutters, anticipating flat conditions similar to Edgbaston.
Bowler-Batter Balance Debate Intensifies
The debate around pitch conditions is not new. The ICC’s World Test Championship aims to standardise pitches to ensure fair contests globally. However, commercial pressures to produce high-scoring, entertaining matches often override these objectives.
Analysts suggest that:
- Flat pitches improve batting averages and extend careers, attracting viewership and brand value.
- Bowlers face higher workload and injury risks with longer spells under unresponsive conditions.
Expert Views On Cummins’ Comments
Former England pacer Steve Harmison supported Cummins’ remarks:
“Edgbaston was like a T20 wicket on Day 5. Good for batters, but not Test cricket at its best.”
On the other hand, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh tweeted:
“Adaptability is key. When bowlers get green tops, no one complains.”
Conclusion
Pat Cummins’ frustration with the Edgbaston pitch after India’s record chase has reignited the pitch preparation debate. While batting-friendly surfaces boost entertainment value, bowlers argue that a fair contest requires assistance off the wicket to maintain cricket’s essence as a game of skill for both disciplines. As the Ashes draws closer, all eyes will be on whether English groundsmen heed Cummins’ warnings or continue to produce batter-friendly pitches prioritising run-fests over balance.
Disclaimer
This news content is based on recent match developments, player press conferences, and cricket analyst statements. Readers are advised to follow official team announcements for updated perspectives ahead of the upcoming Ashes series.
