Cummins backs batting flexibility despite Renshaw’s Durban heroics

Australia’s batting flexibility remains a priority, says Pat Cummins

• Renshaw’s Durban heroics – 190 in the first innings and 82 in the second helped Australia recover from 124/6 to a commanding win.
• Batting order changes –
  • Cameron Green’s abdominal injury forced a promotion of Matthew Renshaw to the middle order.
  • Nic Maddinson was recalled and moved up as an opener, a move that gives the team more options at the top.
  • Cummins notes that Marnus Labuschagne (No. 3) and Steve Smith (No. 4) are settled, while the six‑and‑seven positions are “locked up.”
  • The flexibility allows the team to shuffle openers or shift players between innings depending on conditions.
• Cummins on strategy – “We’re very big on that flexibility… we can have different openers if the conditions take us somewhere different, or swap out the batting orders between innings.”
• Green’s availability – Still uncertain for the second Test in Gqeberha, so further adjustments may be needed.
• Overall message – Cummins stresses the importance of patience and adaptability, citing the Durban win as a reminder that “you need to sometimes just grind it out, wait for the game to come to you.”