The Japan Times - 'Chilled out' Aussies no longer angry young men, says Cummins

Five-time winners Australia kick off their World Cup campaign against hosts India in a much-awaited Sunday clash in Chennai.

Australia have long been known to play an aggressive brand of cricket with on-field sledging part and parcel of their game, but Cummins and company have displayed a softer version.

"It's more a reflection of who we are as a people. With every team you have different characters," Cummins told reporters.

"Our guys are pretty chilled out, so I am always proud saying the players out there in the field are similar to who they are off the field."

Asked about the in-your-face attitude of past greats, including the late Shane Warne and former captain Ricky Ponting, the fast bowler reflected on the team's more restrained posture.

"Times change, that's 20 years ago," he said. "That doesn't come naturally to our guys, we want to go about our work quietly."

However, the World Cup could prove a different ball game, he added.

"I think you're going to see some boys get fired up at different times. We're all passionate. We're all ridiculously competitive," he said.

"So, I never really mind if a couple of our boys are puffing the chests out and getting themselves into the contest."

Foreign teams on Indian soil must also contend with the home side's immense and impassioned fanbase, but Cummins said he was up to the challenge.

"The home crowd is going to be noisy and very one-sided which is nothing new. It's great," he said.

"It's always tough playing against someone on their home ground, but with that also comes pressure. A billion fans watching them closely, cheering them on."

Australia are waiting on a fitness check for Marcus Stoinis ahead of their Sunday opener.

The the all-rounder pulled up with a sore hamstring in the first game of Australia's 2-1 series defeat in India last month.

"Stoinis is still touch and go," Cummins said.

"He is going to have a run this afternoon. Probably will have to jump to through a few hoops and we'll see."

Stoinis is among several all-rounders including Glenn Maxwell who are key to Australia's chances in the 45-day tournament.

Maxwell returned bowling figures of 4-40 in the last India ODI and Cummins said the all-rounder always remains an integral component of any 50-over team.

"I think in one-day cricket more than any other formats you need all-rounders," he said.

"We feel really blessed to have people like Cam Green, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis in the side. They're like gold. It means you can bat deeper, so we feel in a really good place."

K.Abe--JT