Cummins aces Ashes batting challenge

Australia's bowling attack is being tossed up as one of the great modern combinations, but it is Pat Cummins' batting that has coach Darren Lehmann talking after their Ashes success.

The New South Welshman finished with a flurry to top the series wicket tally, bowling the most overs of any Australian quick in a positive sign his once-fragile body is beginning to handle the rigours of Test cricket.

But when asked to review his young fast bowler's performance, it was a batting average of 41.5, not his 23 wickets, that Lehmann referred to first.

Pre-series demands for more runs were appeased by Cummins, who had three scores in the 40s including a crucial partnership with captain Steve Smith to steady the ship at the Gabba.

"Certainly with the bat, we challenged Pat at the start of the summer to make more runs, and he's done that five-fold and exceeded our expectations," Lehmann said.

"With the ball, we know he's always had the potential and he can certainly run through a batting line-up."

Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon and Cummins each took more than 20 wickets in the series, just the third time all four bowlers have done so in Test history.

That has ultimately led to comparisons between this attack and famous combinations of the past, Lehmann agreeing the hype was deserved.

"The certainly have the potential to be," Lehmann said when asked if they could be the best attack he'd coached.

"(Ryan) Harris, (Peter) Siddle, (Mitchell) Johnson and Lyon were pretty good four years ago, but these guys are younger - they've got the appetite to be great.

"And the way they've done it; the last two wickets were a little bit slow and low ... the first three had some pace and bounce in them, but they adapted to those conditions really well."

South Africa awaits the Test team in March, the Proteas boasting a formidable attack to rival Australia's.

While South Africa embarrassed the hosts to begin the last summer, Australia have some happy memories of a 2-1 win on their last visit in 2013-14.

"Shaun Marsh made a great hundred last time we were there at Centurion," Lehmann reminisced.

"South Africa are a tough opponent; we'll have to play well - there's no doubt about that. We'll have to bat really well."

2017-18 International Fixtures

Gillette ODI Series v England

Australia ODI squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa.

England ODI squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

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

England T20 squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, David Willey, Mark Wood.

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

2017-18 International Results

Magellan Ashes Series

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. Scorecard

Fifth Test Australia win by an innings and 123 runs. Scorecard