Cummins set for rest as SA tour looms

Pat Cummins has managed to play all five games during his maiden home Test series but the express paceman will soon have a rest on the sidelines.

Cummins started this Magellan Ashes contest with a sense of uncertainty, having never played a Test in Australia because of a handful of serious injuries that followed his sparkling debut in South Africa in 2011.

The right-armer, who captured the first two wickets to fall in the SCG series finale and finished with figures of 4-80 on day two, is thrilled to have exceeded his own expectations by playing all five Tests.

Cummins was included in Australia's squad for a five-match ODI series against England that starts on January 14.

Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns has already flagged that Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood won't play in all those games with uncapped duo Andrew Tye and Jhye Richardson also in the squad.

"They're going to reassess after this game. There was a bit of chat we might rest from one or two," Cummins told reporters.

"We've got a bit of a break before the ODIs start.

"I don't know yet. It takes a little bit to get over each Test but once you're over a Test, you're ready to start bowling and 10 overs in an ODI is a bit easier than a Test."

The issue of workload management divides fans, players and coaches but selectors will be keen to ensure Cummins is cherry ripe for the ensuing Test tour of South Africa.

Cummins earlier told ABC Radio he'd been surprised by both his durability and the docile nature of pitches during his maiden home Test series.

Cummins, who endured almost six years of injury hell before returning to the Test XI last year, admitted pre-series he wasn't sure if he could get through the summer without being rested from a Test.

He is now the most resilient member of the attack, with the current game being his ninth straight Test.

"At the start of the summer, being pretty realistic I thought five games would have been a long stretch," Cummins said.

"I've been really surprised with how well I've pulled up after each game.

"If we'd had a few heavier games and I had a few aches and pains then it probably would have been spoken about."

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird.

England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard

Second Test Australia won by 120 runs (Day-Night). Scorecard

Third Test Australia won by an innings and 41 runs. Scorecard

Fourth Test Match drawn. Tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Scorecard

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21