MELBOURNE, Australia, CMC – Teenaged Australian pace sensation Pat Cummins has targeted the tour of West Indies starting in March as his comeback from injury.
The 18-year-old sustained a heel problem during the second Test against South Africa late last year and has been ruled out of action ever since.
However, he is expected to begin bowling against within coming weeks and should make a return to competitive cricket in a first grade game for Penrith next month.
But with precious little time in which to convince selectors of his form, he will be hoping to get the nod based on his potential.
“The main thing everyone has said is don’t rush and try and race back for something and then end up doing it again and you’re out for another three months,” Cummins said.
“It’s a bit out of everyone’s hands, it’s just how it recovers. Just playing it by ear and when it’s ready it’s ready. I’d love to be on that West Indies tour.”
In his only Test to date, Cummins made headlines with a seven-wicket match haul in the second Test against South Africa last November, taking six for 79 in the second innings to help Australia to a two-wicket win.
Identified as the future generation of Australian fast bowling, Cummins said he wanted to take his recovery slowly to ensure a full return to fitness.
“I’ve done about four or five runs now and it’s pulled up brilliantly the next day. It’s pain-free every run and the next day it’s not swollen so it’s good signs at the moment,” he pointed out.
“[It] probably takes another three or four weeks to build up to game practice. After that four weeks, hopefully 10 overs should be right for one-day cricket.’”
West Indies host Australia in three Tests, five One-Day Internationals and two Twenty20s from March 16 to April 23.
