'Come of age': Ricky Ponting and Mark Taylor praise Pat Cummins after brilliant captaincy performance
Pat Cummins has been praised for his incredible World Cup campaign as captain, with Ricky Ponting stating he's "come of age" after a six-wicket victory over India in the final.
The 30-year-old had to inspire his side towards a brilliant back end of the tournament, after losing the opening two games against India and South Africa.
Cummins impressed again when he chose to bowl first in the World Cup final, which proved to be a masterstroke.
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"I think Cummins has come of age through this World Cup," Ponting said in commentary.
"And you think back six weeks ago, Australia's campaign was hanging on by a thread. They lost their first two games. The way they played their cricket as well, it just didn't look right. It looked like they were tired after the tour of South Africa, obviously a very draining Ashes series as well.
Pat Cummins celebrates after Glenn Maxwell hit the winning runs. AP
"That wasn't long before there were a few questions being asked about this group ... there had been some criticism of his captaincy and his leadership. Not anymore."
Along with his leadership performance, Cummins also did the job with the ball, claiming 2-34 from his 10 overs. Both wickets were middle-order batters Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli. The latter dismissed for 54 with Cummins running away in excitement after he chopped on to his stumps.
Former Australian captain Mark Taylor said he was "surprised" by Cummins' decision at the toss but believes he "did not put a foot wrong".
"Pat Cummins to me has had a terrific World Cup and he got it dead right today," he said on Nine's coverage.
"I said at the toss, I was a little surprised that he elected to bowl first, I thought runs on the board would be the way to go but he's summed up the conditions well.
"He knew that in the dry time when there's no dew around would be the best time to bowl.
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"... You hope you're going to get better and better the more you do your job ... in The Ashes he had some moments where I thought he got a bit defensive in The Ashes, not so here.
"He attacked a lot more in this World Cup which I thought was terrific. Today, he did not put a foot wrong, there's no doubt about that."
