Australian hot-shot teenage bowler Pat Cummins said Thursday he is confident a heel injury will not prevent him from playing his first Test at home against New Zealand next week.
Cummins was man-of-the-match in his debut Test with a haul of 6-79 in the second innings of Australia’s second Test win over South Africa in Johannesburg earlier this week.
The 18-year-old fast bowler is likely to be asked again to lead the Australian attack against the Kiwis, in the first of two Tests at Brisbane’s Gabba ground next Thursday.
He is upbeat despite admitting to heel soreness.
“I pulled up a little bit sore after the game the other day, but hopefully I should be right to go,” Cummins told reporters.
“My heel was a little bit sore, but it’s nothing too dramatic and it’s not going to leave me out. It’s nothing too serious.
“There’s nothing you can do, just keep icing it up and it’s not going to be a big problem.”
Cummins is in big demand after injuries to Australia’s other front-line bowlers, Shane Watson (hamstring), Mitchell Johnson (foot) and Ryan Harris (hip).
Former players are advising that Cummins be rested from the shorter forms of the game to preserve his growing physique.
Australian captain Michael Clarke has spoken of the need to manage the workload of Cummins, who suffered minor back issues in the 2010-2011 Sheffield Shield final.
The pace ace, who played only three first-class games for New South Wales before his fast-tracked Test debut, knows the risks and rigours involved as a fast bowler and said he is ready for a testing summer.
“I guess any player has got to be well managed and, being a bit younger, it’s even more important,” Cummins said.
“So it’s great they are trying to look after me and all the young guys.
“I guess all the guys have been through rough patches so you’ve got to leave it in perspective and know it’s never going to be rosy forever.”
