Pat comes to life with a captain's shift for Aussies

IF there is a better ball bowled during this Ashes series than the stump-seeking missile from Pat Cummins which did for Ollie Pope then it should be framed and hung in the Long Room at Lord’s

- Neil SQUIRES

The 90mph yorker which, like some evil hi-tech weapons system, ducked in hideously late to castle the flummoxed England No.3, was a work of art. Poor Pope did not have a prayer.

It was one of four wickets Cummins jemmied out in England’s second innings in a superb captain’s shift, which set up his side for their victory push today.

No pace bowler will remember this Edgbaston pitch fondly but Cummins was lion-hearted in his drive to bring it to life.

And when it came to the big moments on a taut tightrope walk of a fourth day, Cummins had them nailed.