Cummins ready for international relaunch

Australia

Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins is set to relaunch his international career more than two years after his last game for the Aussies, when he takes on South Africa in the T20 series Down Under this week.

Cummins has missed three season due to lower back stress fractures, and is now ready to add to his 11 T20 caps. He's not yet 22, and the selectors will hope for a long stint in the national side this time

T20 skipper Aaron Finch said of the paceman: "When you have got a guy as skilful as Pat in your squad, it adds a real lot of depth.

"He can bat, bowl, is brilliant in the field. So for Australian cricket to have him back is a real asset. He is someone who can swing the ball, and in Twenty20 its about taking wickets and hes a definite wicket-taker.

"When you have that asset, it just gives you so much at the top of the order with the ball. If you can knock over good players early in this format, it goes a long way to winning."

Finch added that the players needed to do well from the get-go, purely for confidence's sake: "From a personal point of view, if you start off the series well it gives you a lot of confidence … it probably takes a little bit of pressure off.

"As soon as you're chasing your tail in the shortest format especially and you feel under pressure … its a pretty tough game. You don't quite play as naturally and free.

"So if you can get runs or wickets in the first couple of games, that just opens you up with natural flair and freedom."

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