By CricketCountry Staff
Australia captain Michael Clarke said on Tuesday that the management needs to chalk out a plan to use Pat Cummins efficiently, and to ensure the logevity of right-handed pacer’s career.
Published: Nov 22, 2011, 03:35 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 22, 2011, 03:35 PM (IST)
Pat Cummins bagged six wickets in South Africa’s second innings in the Johannesburg Test © Getty Images
By CricketCountry Staff
Johannesburg: Nov 22, 2011
Australia captain Michael Clarke said on Tuesday that the management needs to chalk out an efficient plan to use Pat Cummins, to ensure the right-handed pacer’s career longevity.
Cummins impressed on his debut Test for Australia, grabbing seven wickets in the match and contributing significantly with the bat, to help his side level the series with South Africa.
“He is as good an athlete in the field as we’ve had come into this team for a while. We’ve got to be smart, though. I don’t think it’s possible for Paddy right now to play all forms of the game for Australia,” Clarke was quoted by Sydney Morning Herald.
“To play every single game, I think would be silly. That’s only my opinion. We need to speak to the selectors and we need to make a plan for him, because he’s got a bright future. He’s got the potential to be an amazing cricketer for Australia, and we have to be smart and make sure we look after him,” Clarke added.
Mickey Arthur, who was named Australia coach on Tuesday morning agreed with Clarke about managing Cummins.
“We need to be a little careful. With six Test matches in eight weeks coming up, it’s going to be tough on the bowlers having to win games, day in and day out. We need to have depth and a fast bowling battery to achieve what we want,” he said.
Arthur hinted that he could rotate the pace bowlers in Australia’s six Tests against New Zealand and India at home.
The former South Africa coach compared 18-year-old Cummins with Dale Steyn, and said, “Except Pat Cummins is younger, which makes it all the more exciting.”
