Australia vs South Africa 2018: Fit Again Pat Cummins Aims to Hit the Ground Running

Pat Cummins has confirmed he is fit again after the injury layoff and is raring to go against the South African side. Australia and South Africa will play three-match ODI series and one-off T20I against each other. Cummins also confirmed that Josh Hazlewood has also recuperated from his injury. Both the talisman fast bowler played a domestic match which confirms that they are ready to take the field again.

It has been a while that Australia has played with their three full-throttle pace attack. Thus, the pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood will like to tick the right boxes against the Proteas. Therefore, the return of Cummins and Hazlewood will definitely serve as a shot in the arm.

Cummins and Hazlewood are fit.

“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 told cricket.com.au today.

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“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.”

Cummins vs Rabada.

On the other hand, South Africa will have the services of their fast bowler, Kagiso Rabada who has done well against the Aussies. Cummins believes it is great to play against the best in the business. Rabada had scalped 23 wickets whereas Cummins had taken 22 wickets in the last controversial Test series between them. In fact, both of them played together for Delhi Daredevils in IPL.

“You always want to get one up on each other, but really you’re just worried about what you’re doing,” Cummins said.

“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.”

Cummins praises Dale Steyn.

Meanwhile, Dale Steyn has also returned to South Africa’s ODI squad. Steyn had ruled the bowling charts for almost a decade. However, the recent injuries haven’t been his friend. Pat Cummins also praised the experienced Proteas quick.

“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,” Pat Cummins said.

“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.

“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.”

It is going to another intense battle between the two powerhouses in the cricket world. However, there is no denying the fact that players like Steven Smith, David Warner, and AB de Villiers will be missed. The first ODI will take place from on 4th November at Perth.