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It’s been 1366 days since the 18-year-old fast bowler Pat Cummins played his one and only Test, highlighted by winning the man-of-the-match award at the Wanderers in Johannesburg in Australia’s nail-biting two-wicket win over South Africa.
Having taken 6-79 off 29 overs in the second dig with the wickets of Jacques Rudolf, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, the rookie came to the crease with Australia needing 18 runs to win with just two wickets in hand.
Showing no signs of being overawed, Cummins scored 13 of them while the experienced Mitchell Johnson claimed five, and the baggy greens were home by two wickets.
The future for Cummins was obviously extremely bright, until a litany of injuries ranging from stress fractures of his back, ongoing heel injuries, and a torn side had him constantly on the operating or physio table, and a long way from the centre.
Thanks to Cummins’ gutsy dedication and a combination of the Australian and NSW medical staff who were equally dedicated, Cummins played for Australia against Northamptonshire at the County Ground. Over the rain-affected last three days he produced 3-64 off 20.4 and a career high and top score 82 not out off 113 with 13 fours and a six.
That put some much needed substance into the total after the Australians were 5-87 with David Warner (6), Shaun Marsh (24), Steve Smith (0), Adam Voges (21) and Shane Watson (20) back in the shed.
Down 3-1 and the Ashes lost, Pat Cummins must play in the fifth and final Test at The Oval, starting Thursday.
It will be Michael Clarke’s final Test as well if he sticks to his word on the very ground Don Bradman made the most famous duck in Test history, requiring just four runs in 1948 for a career average of 100.
The team for Thursday should be:
1. David Warner
2. Chris Rogers
3. Steve Smith
4. Michael Clarke
5. Adam Voges
6. Mitchell Marsh
7. Peter Nevill
8. Pat Cummins
9. Mitchell Johnson
10. Mitchell Starc
11. Nathan Lyon
The pace attack of Cummins, Johnson, Starc and Marsh is far more formidable than in the first four Tests, with Lyon always an offie danger.
But the bigger question will be the top seven in the batting order with Cummins, Johnson, Starc and Lyon a big bonus if they get going.
It’s time for a repeat of Lord’s with the top three firing – Rogers (178), Warner (78) and Smith (215), with Clarke scoring only seven, Voges 25, Marsh 12, and Nevill on debut with 45.
That 8-566 (declaration) was more like what was expected pre-tour, so the quicker the last Test shambles of 60 and 253 is buried the better.
One would hope there’s enough bottle among the baggy greens to win this final Test.
The inclusion of Cummins after what he’s been through to regain his Test place should be an inspiration to the other 10.
Pat Cummins and the fans, especially those who have paid a fortune to tour, deserve nothing less.