Australia speedster Pat Cummins has regained full fitness and is in good rhythm as he prepares for the three-match ODI series against South Africa at home next month.
Speaking to cricket.com.au, Cummins confirmed about his fitness and also revealed that Josh Hazlewood has recuperated from his injury. It has been a while since Australia has fielded their full-throttle pace troika and thus the cricket fans are excited to see Mitchell Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood bowling together in the upcoming ODI series.
“We (he and Hazlewood) bowled five or six different spells and spent a lot of time in the field and felt like we were pretty much up to 100 percent,” Pat Cummins quoted.
“The body felt great so they were the main things. We got out of it exactly what we wanted.Now I’ve played a few (games) I feel absolutely fine and that’s the best sign your body is ready to start playing some more cricket.”
“My rhythm felt really good and I’m really happy with how it all came together. I bowled a couple of quick overs and feel like I’m totally ready to start getting fully back into everything,” he added.
During Australia’s infamous tour of South Africa earlier this year, Cummins and Kagiso Rabada were going neck and neck in the bowling charts. In the four-Test series, Rabada had finished with 23 wickets while Cummins had claimed 22 scalps.
Talking about Rabada, Cummins said he is looking forward to resume his rivalry with the Proteas speedster.
“You always want to get one up on each other, but really you’re just worried about what you’re doing. He’s set the standard the last couple of years in fast bowling. You always pick up things watching the best do their stuff. We’re a similar age, similar bowling styles in that we’re trying to be attacking, bowl fast and aim to take those big wickets,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, Dale Steyn has also returned to South Africa’s ODI squad and Cummins paid rich tributes to the South African bowling legend.
“If Rabada’s been setting the standard the last couple of years then Steyn was setting the standard for fast bowling half a dozen years before that. He’s someone who always gets themselves in the game, he always the strike weapon, up for every game, he bowls fast, takes big wickets and is so competitive,” Cummins remarked.
“It’s great to see him back. He’s had a couple of serious injuries but to get himself back and be a star performer again is great for the game. He’s someone you have to turn on the TV and watch when he’s bowling,” he concluded.
