Patrick Cummins is confident that he is ready for a return to Test cricket
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Pat Cummins ready for a Test recall
Australian fast bowler Patrick Cummins is confident about his fitness and says he is ready for a Test recall.
Cummins, who made his Test debut against South Africa in 2011, has had his fair share of injuries which have plagued his short career.
However, following the retirement of Ryan Harris at the start of the Ashes, Cummins received a call up to the Test squad as the 35-year-old’s replacement.
In the recently concluded tour game against Northamptonshire, Cummins bowled well, picking up three wickets in 20.4 overs, but his major contribution came with the bat.
Cummins rescued Australia by scoring his maiden first-class half-century, as he saw the team through to the end of the day’s play.
Disclosing that it was the first time he has bowled 20 overs in a single day in the last couple of years, Cummins was happy to be niggle free.
“It was the first time I’ve bowled 20 overs in a day for a year or two and the body felt perfect.
“No niggle or anything, just general fast bowler’s wear and tear.
“It probably felt like the best I’ve bowled in a long time as well.
“I just really enjoyed easing into spells and trying to work out how to swing the ball and try and get consistent swing and use the bouncer and doing all those things that you do in first-class cricket – I just loved.”
After putting in all the hard work over the last couple of years to recover fitness and form, Cummins asserted that he is at his best right now.
“I was speaking to the physio today and we were trying to work it out … and I’ve been bowling for two years straight and I think I’ve missed one week out of the two years.
“I’ve had no niggles or anything so I can’t be any more ready if I get the call-up.”
Having already lost the series at Trent Bridge, Australia are likely to make a change or two to their squad when they face England at The Oval.
Cummins and Peter Siddle are the two fast-bowling options the Australian selectors have, in case they decide to ring the changes in the bowling department.
Cummins opined that he and Siddle are both ready to step up to the playing eleven, but the duo haven’t heard anything from the selectors yet.
“No, they (the selectors) have kept their mouths pretty shut.
“So I haven’t heard anything, but from the last couple of weeks I’ve seen Peter Siddle bowl in the nets and he’s bowled beautifully.
“So if they do go for a change I guess we’re both ready.
“He (Siddle) batted and he was fine today so I don’t think (he’s in doubt) at all.”
Nevertheless, Cummins is pragmatic about his chances, as he opined that he did not have many expectations when he received a call up to the squad.
“I was firstly happy that I was on the way to Chennai when I got the call-up.
“So I just loved being here and loved being part of it and being along for the ride and just be ready if a game comes.
“I think if a game comes along it will be a bonus and I’ll be ready to go.
“But I didn’t have any big expectations when I came over.”
The final Test of this Ashes campaign will get underway from the 20th August at The Oval in London.
© Cricket World 2015
