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Rediff.com  » Cricket » Cummins could have troubled senior Indian batsmen: Waugh
This article was first published 12 years ago

Cummins could have troubled senior Indian batsmen: Waugh

Last updated on: December 8, 2011 15:54 IST

Image: Pat Cummins

Former Australia captain, Steve Waugh feels that teen pace sensation Pat Cummins, who will miss part of the home Test series against India due to a heel injury, would have tested the likes of veterans Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid.

"He (Cummins) would have unsettled those guys and with he and (James) Pattinson together that would have been a real test for the 35-pluses in the Indian side, who have been playing in pretty flat decks and against not really quick attacks," Waugh said.

'Youngsters not match-hardened enough for that next level'

Image: Pat Cummins

Waugh, however, was critical of the way the rookie pacers were handled by Cricket Australia, saying it was "ridiculous" to promote the youngsters' to the rigours of Test cricket without letting their bodies get "match-hardened".

"It's pretty ridiculous that you've got young blokes who are talented and take the next step but haven't had enough overs under their belt," he was quoted as saying by The Sydney Morning Herald.

"Maybe they are not match-hardened enough for that next level," he pointed out.

'India will be very pleased not to see Cummins in the side'

Image: Pat Cummins

Waugh, however, maintained that it would have been worth to witness the duel between the Indian veterans and young Australian fast bowlers.

"It would have been great for the crowds to see that. India will be very pleased not to see Pat Cummins in the side," he insisted.

The 18-year-old fast bowler was ruled out of the second Test against South Africa and the subsequent home series against New Zealand after he suffered a heel injury while playing in his debut match in Johannesburg last month.

'Probably he's not going to bowl between four and six weeks'

Image: Pat Cummins

Though, he has not been officially ruled out of the entire Test series against India starting December 26 in Melbourne, Cummins is unlike to feature in the upcoming four Tests.

"To play Test cricket you need to be bowling a lot (beforehand). Probably he's not going to bowl for anywhere between four and six weeks, depending on how he's going," Australian team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said.

Kountouris conceded that it would be a tough task to get Cummins back on the field before the Adelaide Test.

"It's going to be hard to bring him back up for the latter part of the Indian series," he added.
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