Big Bash League: Pat Cummins set for comeback

Pat Cummins will be playing for Perth Scorchers this time.

20-year-old Pat Cummins is expected to return to Australian domestic cricket – Big Bash League, for Perth Scorchers following a discussion with Cricket Australia. The Perth Scorchers will be playing the next match against Adelaide Strikers on Thursday, where Pat Cummins is expected to be selected in the playing XI.

Pat Cummins has not been in the spotlight after the Champions League 2012, where he helped Sydney Sixers to clinch the title. Even at the international level, he hasn’t played continuous cricket. After his impressive Test debut against South Africa in 2011, he had injury problems and was eventually left out of the side.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Cummins said. “Hopefully on Thursday I get a run and it will be good to be back for the boys.”

Meanwhile, he travelled with Australia A team to England in July 2013 before the Ashes series in England. Though he was not part of the Ashes squad, he trained with the Australia A team in UK.

Cummins, however, regained his touch by scoring a superb century for Penrith against Sutherland in grade cricket. He appeared in the team as batsman, but not as an all-rounder.

Pat Cummins talked about the importance of grade cricket in his comeback. “Playing grade games were really important for me and playing them, particularly the second one, I do feel a lot more confident going into the game,” Cummins said. “The first week was a little bit scratchy and then really happy with how I went on the weekend.

“Outside of that I have been bowling in the nets every couple of days for the last five or six weeks. I feel really confident with where my body is at and I feel like it’s coming out okay so hopefully I will let loose in the game.”

Cummins is currently working on his pace to regain the original tempo. Perth Scorchers were so eager to accelerate his return to the team, but following several discussions with Cricket Australia Scorchers planned to give some time for Cummins.

“We mapped out a plan about six months ago and that plan had me coming back for this game,” Cummins said. “So it was four, five, six weeks bowling in the nets, a couple of grade games.

“Everything was feeling good, so we asked a couple of questions, but in the end, we all decided it was best to stick to the plan.”

Cummins’ inclusion would certainly bolster the Scorchers pace attack and he could be a threatening bowler for Adelaide Strikers given the nature of surface at the WACA, Perth. He will be holding the key for Scorchers in rest of the competition as they are sitting comfortably in the second place after a Super Over win against Sydney Sixers.