Anzac fuel driving the Aussies at World Cup
PAT Cummins wants the Anzac spirit to fuel Australia’s World Cup defence as Steve Smith and David Warner head into cricket’s version of enemy territory for the first time since their ball-tampering sanctions.
Cummins said the No.1 takeaway from this week’s Gallipoli camp was the fighting values from World War I, adamant they could deliver inspiration during challenging moments throughout the showpiece tournament.
“You hear some of the (war) stories and a lot of them aren’t necessarily best mates, but they’ve got each other’s back when the going gets tough,” Cummins said from Gallipoli.
“Just sticking it out, punching above their weight (and) doing all of those things. No doubt there’s going to be times in the World Cup where we’ll be up against it, and it’s about pulling together like the Anzacs did.”
None of Australia’s 15-man World Cup squad had previously visited Turkey but they were moved by the treks through the battlefields. The camp culminated in an emotional ceremony at Lone Pine Cemetery.
Cummins and Adam Zampa laid a flower wreath, which read “Australian Cricket Team, Lille to Lord’s, Lest We Forget” and the team recited The Ode and had a minute’s silence.
“Walking along all the graves and learning all the different stories … (it was) a really special moment and one I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” Cummins said.
Australia flew from Istanbul to London on Wednesday night (UK time) and plays the West Indies on Wednesday in the first of three practice matches in Southampton.