BGT 2024-25: Rift in Australian team? 'I don't know...,' says Cummins after Hazlewood throws shades at batters

Australia skipper Pat Cummins has dismissed the rumours of any kind of divide in the team after the loss in first Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test by 295 runs. Cummins' comments came in response to some snide comments made by teammate Josh Hazlewood after day 3 of play in Perth, Australla.

"You probably have to ask one of the batters that question. I'm sort of relaxing and trying to get a bit of physio and a bit of treatment, and I'm probably looking mostly towards the next Test and what plans we can do against these batters," Hazlewood had told the media after Australia finished day 3 of the Test at 12/3 in chase of record 534.

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Hazlewood's comments could be in reference to the failure of Australia's top order across both innings, especially Marnus Labuschagne, who was given some protection as Pat Cummins came out to bat in dying moments of day 3 ahead of him as nightwatchman despite bowling for nearly two days. Both of them, however, went back in the hut the same day.

Cummins, however, was clear that there's no rift in the team and the side remains a close-knit group.

"I don't know what Joshy (Hazlewood) said, but no, not at all (division). There's plenty of times where the batters have dragged us bowlers out of tight situations, and we've done the same. So it's a really tight unit. It's probably one of the tightest teams I've ever played with," Cummins said in contrast to suggestions made by former Aussie cricketer Adam Gilchrist in Englishman Michael Vaughan that there appears to be a divide in the team.

"We really enjoy playing cricket together. We've been through a lot over the last few years, the core group. So no problems there. Everyone gets along really well. So all good," Cummins added.

The second Test of the five-match series starts December 6 in Adelaide.