Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Pat Cummins intends to play a part in the ODIs in South Africa ahead of one of the toughest away Test series there is.
After the draw with Bangladesh, which Australia levelled courtesy of an innings and 51-run win in Mackay on Sunday, fast bowler Cummins revealed how important the series is in his own plans.
The captain was outstanding in Mackay where he took six wickets for the match in just his second Test back from a lengthy layoff with a lower back complaint.
Australia have three ODIs in Zimbabwe and another three in South Africa in late September, before three Tests in Durban, Gqeberha and Cape Town in October.
The South Africa leg of the six-match ODI tour is where Cummins is set to play.
“I think I will be part of some of it,” Cummins said.
“The focus is the Test series so a lot of the white-ball and how we play that will be with an eye to the red-ball. I imagine it would be one, two or maybe a maximum of three out of those six (ODIs).”
Cummins said he would likely have “an extra week” off before touring if he didn’t play in Zimbabwe, which is the most likely scenario.
Pace trio Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc will all be crucial to Australia’s chances in the Tests and the captain outlined the immediate road ahead.
“I imagine we will have a week off bowling, still do gym work and then start building up to that series,” he said.
Australia lost the World Test Championship final to the Proteas last year and making amends is high on Cummins’ agenda.
“They are a really strong side. We had a big series against them a couple of years ago in Australia (in 2022-23) and we probably exceeded expectations and played really well,” he said.
“They got us back at Lord’s last year. It is going to big in their home conditions and places we have haven’t played for quite a while.
“Durban and Cape Town can be quite different styles of pitches. It is going to be great.”
Cummins bowled with greater pace and rhythm in Mackay than he did in the nine-wicket loss in Darwin. He found his groove at the southern end of Great Barrier Reef Arena to take 3-25 and 3-10 in two innings.
“I felt a lot better this week. My rhythm felt a little bit off last week,” he said.
“It was a little bit conditions related and I had a little bit of a sore toe last week.
“It was lovely to bowl at this top end (in Mackay).
“Physically I feel awesome and I am really happy to get through two Tests. I felt like I could do what I wanted with the ball today which was good.”
