Blues speedster taking impressive early steps in comeback, which could ultimately lead to a key role for Australia
Persistent Cummins flying upon return
NSW Blues quick Pat Cummins is unlikely to feature in the Baggy Green this summer, but a return to the whites in India could be on the cards after another fiery display of fast bowling on Friday.
Cummins bowled with express pace and control in taking 4-26 against the myFoot Dr Queensland Bulls in the Blues’ bonus point Matador BBQs One-Day Cup win at Drummoyne Oval.
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The 23-year-old consistently rushed the Bulls batsmen and hit the stumps three times in his third game back since being diagnosed with lower back stress fractures in England last September.
With a return to Sheffield Shield cricket the youngster’s next aim, the upcoming Test series at home against South Africa and Pakistan is likely beyond his reach this summer.
But a return to Test cricket for the first time since November 2011 could come in the subcontinent in February when Australia travel to India for four Tests.
By then Cummins, if he remains injury free, will have played in the Matador Cup, Sheffield Shield and the KFC Big Bash League, and potentially for Australia in one-day internationals against New Zealand (home and/or away) or Pakistan.
And while he might not have as many red-ball overs under his belt as some of his more seasoned peers, Cummins could be used as a strike bowler in India where he’s employed to bowl express pace for four or five overs at a time, much like Mitchell Johnson did to great effect during his imperious Ashes summer in 2013-14.
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Another Mitchell, Test spearhead Starc, showed just how important pace is in the subcontinent during the recent Test tour of Sri Lanka where Australia were whitewashed 3-0.
Starc consistently hit speeds in the mid-140kph on his way to collecting 24 wickets at 15.16 - 17 more wickets than Australia’s next best quick Josh Hazlewood, who snared seven scalps at 32.71.
There’s a lot of water to flow under the bridge until the India Test tour party is named, but the signs so far are looking good for Cummins.
“(The) body feels better and better each game, I haven’t really had to think about it,” Cummins told reporters after play on Friday evening.
“The ball feels like it’s coming out where I want it to. Couldn’t be happier.
“We played a couple of trial games (before the Matador Cup) … I tried to crank it up (his pace) for a couple of spells.
“I was pretty comfortable throughout this pre-season, trying to work on a little bit on technique and just bowling within myself.
“I think in the pre-season my top speed in the nets was about 122kph so hopefully it was a bit quicker than that.”