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Pat Cummins continues to reap the rewards of a dominant Test series against Sri Lanka, earning the right to skip a planned rest period and instead boost Sydney Thunder’s hopes of an unlikely Big Bash League finals berth.
Cummins was set to be wrapped in cotton wool this week after playing all six Tests of the home summer, with Australia acutely aware of his importance during a hectic year headlined by an Ashes series and World Cup.
But the right-armer, a proud product of Penrith in Sydney’s west, has been given the green light to play the Thunder’s clash with Hobart in Canberra on Saturday.
Cummins delivered only 51.4 overs in Australia’s clinical 2-0 series win that featured only seven days of play.
Thunder batsmen Usman Khawaja and Kurtis Patterson will also return to Manuka Oval this weekend, fresh from scoring Test tons at the venue, although the latter may be left out of their XI.
“We didn’t expect to have Pat at all. It’s a real bonus for us, that’s the benefit of a couple of shorter Tests,” Thunder coach Shane Bond told AAP.
“Everyone’s pumped to have him back. He obviously adds some serious firepower … we’ve all watched him bowl like a genius.
“There’s nothing like taking the field with some of the best players in the world. It’s a real confidence booster for everyone.”
If Melbourne Stars lose games on Friday and Sunday then the Thunder can scrape into the BBL finals – provided they defeat the table-topping Hurricanes.
Bond, the former New Zealand quick who played 18 Tests and 82 ODIs in a stop-start career that was marred by back injuries, can’t wait to work closely with Cummins.
“I was part of England’s set-up in the Ashes last summer, when he was a stand-out bowler,” Bond said.
“I can certainly relate to him, having had long periods out with ongoing problems. The lucky thing is Patty started so young, he’ll still have a long and successful career.
“He’s a bloody good bloke. Had a tough run, worked his arse off and is getting rewards for that perseverance.”
Bond also heaped praise on Khawaja, who played a pivotal role in Thunder’s 2015-16 BBL title and is now in the mix to be part of Australia’s World Cup defence.
“He’s been a quality white-ball player for a long time,” he said.
“You look at his stats. It’s sort of surprised us a little bit, that he hasn’t had a go recently in the Australian T20 team.”
© AAP
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