Deluge fails to dampen Cummins’s comeback

New South Wales seamer Cummins burst onto the scene last year, making his Test debut against South Africa and playing three one-day internationals against the same opposition.

But a bone stress injury halted his progress and Saturday’s abandoned match was his first appearance for Australia since returning to fitness.

He marked his comeback with the wicket of Paul Stirling, caught well at slip by Michael Clarke, and while most players on each side were frustrated at a match that lasted just 10.4 overs before the heavens opened, Cummins was beaming.

“It’s brilliant to play again. We came here thinking there was not too much chance of playing so to get out there, even just for 11 overs, was good fun,” he said.

“It just felt good to be out there. It’s been about seven months or so for me so it’s great to play for Australia again; to come back and play for your country is something special.”

Cummins was pleased to be sharing new ball duties with veteran pace bowler Brett Lee, who bowled William Porterfield and Ed Joyce for ducks in the first over as the hosts slipped to 36-3 before the deluge.

“Myself and Brett have been talking about bowling together for about a year now and with the injury it just didn’t happen, so it was great to finally be down at the other end bowling,” he said.

“The first over was ridiculous. I’ve never seen a start to a game like that before. No one is better than him.

“He’s been the face of fast bowling in Australia for a while. He’s raw pace and he’s always been a great competitor.

“It’s hard not to look up to him as a kid. He’s everything a pace bowler growing up wants to be.”

Cummins had only a brief opportunity to throw his name forward for a starting place in the five-match NatWest Series against England this week and faces competition from the five other pacemen who form Australia’s touring arsenal.

Lee, Ben Hilfenhaus, Clint McKay, Mitchell Johnson and James Pattinson are also vying for a place.