VAST VIEW Pat Cummins Chases Rare History: Can He Beat Australia's South Africa Curse?
Few Australian captains have ever won a Test series on South African soil, and Pat Cummins now faces the same daunting challenge that has tripped up predecessors like Steve Smith.
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Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins is attempting to join a short list of Australian skippers who have led their team to a Test series win in South Africa, according to Yahoo Sports. The feat has proven historically difficult, with past Australian sides often stumbling on South African pitches regardless of the strength of the squad.
Yahoo Sports notes that former captain Steve Smith's own experience in South Africa serves as a reminder of how tough the challenge can be, with Cummins now looking to avoid a similar fate. The outlet compiled a full list of the Australian captains who have managed to win a series there, underscoring just how rare the achievement is in the modern era of the sport.
Why it matters
A series win in South Africa carries extra weight for Australian cricket given the historical difficulty of the tour, and Cummins' performance will be measured against that long list of predecessors who fell short.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
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