At just 17 years old, he has taken 11 wickets in five KFC Twenty20 Big Bash matches this season after New South Wales opted for youth due to a series of injuries that severely affected their fast bowling resources.
His standout performance was last Tuesday when Patrick Cummins dominated Tasmania in the preliminary final, securing NSW’s place in the Champions League, contingent on the ability of their Indian administrators to provide funding.
This followed shortly after he had broken into the first XI of his grade club, Penrith.
In a remarkable bowling spell in Hobart, where he recorded a speed of 146km/h, Cummins achieved figures of 4-16, leading NSW to a straightforward nine-wicket triumph.
Tait, recognized as Australia’s fastest bowler, expressed his admiration.
“For a young lad to bowl in the mid-140s is quite an impressive feat,” remarked Tait.
“That’s top speed for someone his age. To replicate that at 28-29, when a bowler is in their prime, is no small achievement.”
Anticipating Australia’s one-day clash with England in Perth, fellow Blues bowler Lee observed that players like Cummins attract fans to the stadium.
“Fans thrill to see bowlers exceeding 150km/h, particularly when batsmen are attempting to hit them over the boundary,” remarked Lee.
“Currently, it’s challenging since many pitches aren’t favorable for fast bowling, but the emergence of a young player like Cummins, at merely 17, certainly draws more viewers’ attention.”
Due to injuries affecting Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Mark Cameron, Burt Cockley, and recently captain Stuart Clark, along with the international duties of Brett Lee and Doug Bollinger, the Blues turned to Cummins.
In his debut match against Tasmania last month, he recorded figures of 3-29.
Cummins is still adjusting to his swift rise in the ranks.
“I was just thrilled to get a chance to play one game, but to have played in five and reach a final is surreal,” Cummins stated.
“Winning a few matches has been great, but making a contribution is even more fulfilling and hard to fathom.”
While Cummins’s performance has been outstanding, Clark, a former Australian fast bowler, cautioned against setting excessive expectations.
“I’ve told the coaches to just let him perform. He’s doing well, and there’s little more we can advise him at this moment,” Clark mentioned.
“Observing how he bowls and approaches his game, it doesn’t truly surprise me what he’s accomplished.
“However, we must remember that he is only 17. We don’t want him playing every match only to discover in a few weeks that he’s injured and out for six months.”
Clark added that the NSW coaching staff would heed the issues faced by Starc and Hazlewood this season while managing Cummins’s workload.
Hazlewood has been sidelined for the majority of this season due to a back injury, and Starc is currently out with a side strain. Clark believes there are valuable lessons to be learned.
“Perhaps there’s a risk of too much cricket for young players, who suddenly find themselves either inactive or bowling excessively all at once,” Clark explained.
“We must be cautious not to wear Pat out, as the stakes could be high. Transitioning from bowling four overs to 40 overs per week in Shield cricket is a significant shift.”
by Buford Balony
