Pat Cummins has been roasted for a shocking turn as MC for the “unwatchable” Australian Cricket Awards

Pat Cummins’ turn to host the Australian Cricket Awards has caught the attention of fans after the Test skipper struggled through a confusing opening to the ceremony with her women’s counterpart Meg Lanning.

The awards night, previously known as the Allan Border Medal Night until 2018, has been widely panned for its amateurish production and crude speeches.

It all took a terrible turn when Cummins and Lanning were given MC duties to kick off proceedings.

During the opener, Cummins started talking about fast bowler Scott Boland’s influence in the Test arena and tried to make a joke after the opener, batsman Usman Khawaja had declared himself the “people’s champion”.

Cummins acknowledged the public push for a statue of Boland at the MCG.

“I know all the crowd at the MCG will want to see it,” he said.

“Sorry Uzzie, there’s only one champion, that’s Scotty Boland.”

His attempt at a joke got a gentle laugh, but it only got worse from there.

Cummins broke down in hysterics and was unable to continue speaking, which got a better response from the audience than his joke.

Smiling, Lanning tried to control the proceedings – with little success.

“Is it my turn?” he asked.

‘It’s actually my turn to speak. Good luck everyone tonight, I hope it’s a great night and I hope you have fun.

Cummins managed to regain his composure and added: “Too many of us led to it. Let’s start the night. Thank you.’

Cummins and wife Becky Boston arriving for the 2023 Australia Cricket Awards at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney

Lanning impressed on the blue carpet but was unable to lead to success with Cummins. Lanning was named the second recipient of the Belinda Clark Award.

“Thankfully no one’s watching,” one viewer quipped on Twitter.

“For all the money you pay them, at least send them to a public speaking class,” wrote another.

“Oh dear… unprofessional and not exactly funny… it’s like a nut who laughs at his own jokes that aren’t even funny,” another commenter wrote.

Even Cricket Australia had been rooting for the pair, posting a video with the caption: “Are these two going to practice?”

Cummins and Lanning set the tone for an evening that didn’t improve after their early stumbles.

Shane Warne Men’s Test Player of the Year Usman Khawaja was impressive when it came his time to speak at the awards night

Scott Boland and wife Daphne on the blue carpet. Boland was a popular choice for Test player of the year among fans after bursting onto the scene at The Ashes

Khawaja and wife Rachel also stole the limelight on the blue carpet with their impressive outfits

One fan actually thanked Cricket Australia for sharing the results online so they didn’t have to put up with the coverage.

‘Thank you. Beats has to watch a rather painful procedure. Shame, the original AB medal nights were quite entertaining,” they wrote.

Others also lined up to endure the amateur event.

“These Australian Cricket Awards seem so rushed and random it’s almost impossible to follow,” one viewer wrote.

“Why would you want to look?” another asked.

“I wish @Channel7 had invested in better hosts, writers and directors. This #AustralianCricketAwards is next level amateur. The whole thing looks like a bloopers reel. Annoying,” added another.

However, special thanks were reserved for Shane Warne’s Test Player of the Year award winner Usman Khawaja.

A very emotional (and very funny) speech from Usman Khawaja at the Australian Cricket Awards as the first Shane Warne Test player of the year, one fan wrote.