Australian captain Pat Cummins gave another reminder of his incredible ability with the bat, alongside being one of the greatest bowlers of all time, as he put Australia in a commanding position to seal a victory in the first Test of a three-match series against South Africa on the fourth day of the match on Monday (October 12).
The Australian captain walked out to bat after Matt Renshaw’s dismissal and made 32 runs in just 12 balls before declaring the innings.
The knock helped Australia give South Africa a target of 421 in the fourth innings as Australia declared the innings at 314-6 in the second innings. Cummins’ effort came at an incredible strike rate of 266.67 which included four sixes.
Pat Cummins Creates History
Among players to score 30 or more runs in a Test innings, Cummins’ strike rate is the highest by a player away from home, a record West Indies’ Nixon McLean had held since 1998. Overall, it is the third-highest scoring rate by a batter. Interestingly, each of the top four efforts has come against South Africa.
Highest Strike Rate In A Test Innings (Minimum 30 Runs)
| Player (Team) | Opponent | Runs | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | Venue | Year |
| Umesh Yadav | South Africa | 31 | 10 | 310 | Ranchi | 2019 |
| Stephen Fleming | South Africa | 31 | 11 | 281.81 | Aukland | 2004 |
| Pat Cummins | South Africa | 32 | 12 | 266.66 | Durban | 2026 |
| Nixon Mclean | South Africa | 31 | 12 | 258.53 | Gqeberha | 1998 |
| Abdur Razzaq | Zimbabwe | 43 | 17 | 252.94 | Harare | 2011 |
Cummins has hardly put a foot wrong in the match so far, after scoring an important knock of 43 (98 balls) in the first innings, which helped Australia recover from 124-6 to post a massive total of 390 on the board. Later, he was the pick of the bowlers as South Africa were bowled out for 284. The Australian captain took three wickets.