Patrick Cummins has become a revelation overnight, taking the whole cricketing world aback by his talent and sheer pace. The word ‘meteoric rise’ is an understatement considering the fact that he earned a Test debut after just 3 first-class games for New South Wales and won the match for Australia with both bat and ball displaying tremendous grit and maturity being only 18 years of age.
Patrick Cummins – Young, Fast and Sensational
Australia has always produced many a classy fast bowler and the latest addition is the teenage prodigy who traumatized many batsman ten years elder than him clocking speeds of 120 km/h at just 14 years of age. Tall, strong and determined Cummins has all the perfect makings of turning out to be a great discovery for Australia but it all depends on how he handles all the adulation and praise that comes as an excess baggage to being an overnight hero.
Australia was beaten left, right and centre in the Cape Town Test and they were looking for some kind of inspiration to lift their performance and get them back to winning ways and Cummins provided just that. He finished with second innings bowling figures of 6-79 becoming the second youngest bowler of all-time to claim a six-wicket haul in his debut test. He finished with match figures of 7-117 winning the man of the match award in his debut test.
Not only did he make his mark as a batsman but he showed grit and determination as he partnered Mitchell Johnson for the last wicket and helped Australia win the Test match. With just a handful of runs left, Australia seemed to be losing the match when Johnson and Cummins held their nerve through to the last ball. Johnson held anchor on one side as debutant Cummins had to face his own music from Dale Steyn but the youngster kept his cool and fittingly hit the winning runs.
The Australian team is currently going through a face of major changes with a new coach, captain and structure. Mitchell Johnson experimented with a new run shortened run-up, Brad Haddin tried to fire away to regain form and Ricky Ponting looked to play to his reputation as his successor Michael Clarke was desperate to get the Aussies over the line after a miserable run in the first Test and Pat Cummins provided them with the much needed impetus as he came up with a strong showing to get Australia back on track.
Success can be short-lived especially if you’re a cricketer and a pace-bowler at that. Injuries, fatigue and poor form can spell the doom for even the best of talents and it will be impossible for Cummins to perform in all three formats with the same intensity. Captain Michael Clarke knows the importance of using him sensibly to not risk a burn-out and he said, “We need to speak to the selectors and we need to make a plan for him, because he’s got a bright future. He’s got the potential to be an amazing cricketer for Australia, and we have to be smart and make sure we look after him”.
At 18, he has more than a decade of cricket left in him and innumerable challenges to face and Pat Cummins’ spirit and enthusiasm will stand him in good stead if he is able to sustain such good performances. Australian cricket is at crossroads now and youngsters like Cummins have the ability to re-establish Australia as the topmost cricketing nation.
Tags: Australia, Cricket, Cricket Australia, New South Wales, Patrick Cummins
