Pat Cummins: Recovering Stronger for Upcoming Challenges
Pat Cummins, the current captain of Australia’s Test and ODI teams, is back in action, preparing for a busy cricket calendar that includes the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa in June. Cummins, who was ruled out of the ongoing Champions Trophy due to an ankle injury sustained during the Test series against India, has been diligently working on his rehabilitation and is optimistic about his return to full form.
A Focus on Rehabilitation and Future Plans
Cummins recently shared with ESPNcricinfo that his ankle is recovering well and that he is set to resume bowling as part of his rehab program. "The ankle is all going strong, [I’ve been] able to give it a good rest and then been building up slowly, which you don’t get to do when you play lots of cricket," he explained. "It’s feeling as strong as it has for a fair while. Should be fine [for the IPL], that’s the plan. So have a few weeks of bowling, building back up and then hopefully don’t have to worry about it for a while." This break has allowed Cummins to get a couple of cortisone injections and to focus on thorough rehabilitation, which is crucial given the ongoing nature of the injury.
Balancing Rest and Competitive Play
Cummins, who has been managing his ankle injury for some time without opting for surgery, sees the current break as an opportunity to ensure he is at his peak for the important matches ahead. "Sometimes by missing the odd tour, you actually end up playing more cricket for the whole year," he noted. "I think in the past you used to play everything, whereas now, absolutely, you try and make sure the players are at their peak for as long as you can for the year and to play as much of the important stuff each year. It’s just the way of the world. Everyone’s used to it."
The Impact on Australia’s Team Dynamics
Cummins’ absence, along with Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, has left Australia’s pace attack in the Champions Trophy relatively inexperienced. Despite this, young talents like Ben Dwarshuis and Nathan Ellis have stepped up, with Dwarshuis taking three wickets against England and Ellis delivering a solid performance in the high-scoring game. "He doesn’t necessarily need to take the new ball to have a big impact. He can bowl through the middle and at the end," Cummins said of Ellis, highlighting his versatility.
Highlighting Josh Inglis’ Rise
One of the standout performers for Australia in the Champions Trophy has been wicket-keeper batsman Josh Inglis, who made a stunning 120 off 86 balls in a chase against South Africa. Inglis, who also scored his maiden Test century against Sri Lanka last month, has been a consistent presence on Australian tours, often running with drinks. "He’s been on almost every Australian tour for about the last four years running drinks. So we’ve always known his quality and scoring two hundreds in different formats in the last month is amazing," Cummins said. "He’s so dynamic. You can bat him anywhere in the order. He can take down spin. He can also finish off an innings with all his different shots. Just someone who’s coming into a real sweet spot in his career."
Future Selection Dilemmas and World Cup Aspirations
The success of players like Inglis and Alex Carey, who have been sharing the keeping duties across formats, presents a selection challenge for the Australian team, especially for the WTC final. "I think you’re open to anything at the moment," Cummins said. "They’re two of the most in-form guys. They’re straight into that ODI side together and it’s no issue. We’ve picked two allrounders before. Picked two keepers in Sri Lanka. I don’t see any reason why they can’t coexist if they’re both scoring runs." Beyond the WTC final, Cummins is also looking ahead to the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year and the ODI World Cup in 2027. "It comes around pretty quick, we’re already almost halfway," he said. "That’s definitely what we’ve been speaking to. Obviously, when it’s a long way away, Test cricket and other [tournaments] take priorities. But once it gets a bit closer, that becomes a bit more of a focus."
Leading Australia into the Future
Pat Cummins’ return to form and his thoughtful approach to balancing rest and competition underscores his leadership qualities. As he prepares for the IPL and beyond, the expectations for Australia under his captaincy remain high. With the team’s young talents like Josh Inglis rising to the occasion and experienced players like Nathan Ellis contributing, the future looks promising for Australian cricket. Cummins’ goal of leading Australia to another world title is a clear and ambitious one, and his focus on the coming years is a testament to his determination and vision.
