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Mitchell Starc believes Pat Cummins has cemented his spot ahead of him in the Australian batting order after the captain starred in another thrilling run chase.
Cummins saved Australia from an embarrassing defeat by guiding them to a two-wicket ODI win against Pakistan at the MCG on Monday night.
Playing in his first ODI since last year's World Cup final win, Cummins came in with Australia reeling at 7 for 155 chasing just 204.
But just as he did twice during last year's World Cup in India, and in Test wins at Edgbaston in 2023 and Christchurch in March, Cummins showed he is more than just one of the best quicks of his generation.
He scored an unbeaten 32 off 31 balls to steer Australia to victory with 99 balls left.
The 31-year-old has this year undergone corrective eye surgery, something Starc believes has helped his batting.
Starc's ability to swing for the fences — he has more Test sixes than the likes of Joe Root, Mark Waugh and Michael Clarke — has often seen him at the top of the tail for Australia.
But the leftie said Cummins's recent form with the willow should ensure the captain leapfrogs him in the batting line-up, as he did on Monday night, coming in at nine, with Starc facing 12 balls for two runs at number 10.
"Now he's got his eyes fixed," Starc said.
"We've been arguing for a couple years, well, I've been arguing that he should be batting above me. So he's cemented that, I hope.
"But, a fantastic way for him to bring it home.
"Obviously the intent at the start from the guys [with their batting] was what we're after, obviously a few too many wickets, but a positive start to the summer."
Australia's shot selection let them down as they tried to secure the win as quickly as possible.
Matt Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, and Aaron Hardie all fell in cavalier fashion.
Pakistan tearaway Haris Rauf renewed his love affair with the MCG, dismissing Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell in consecutive balls to turn what appeared to be a straightforward run chase on its head.
Australia can wrap up the three-game series by beating Pakistan on Friday night at the Adelaide Oval.
The teams will then play three Twenty20s, before Australia begins its Test summer against India in Perth on November 22.
AAP