Cardiff, United Kingdom: Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins said on Monday he was glad to be able to call on teammate Mitchell Starc for advice as he re-establishes himself as an international cricketer.
At the age of 25, left-arm quick Starc is hardly a veteran but, nevertheless, he is the world’s No. 1 ranked bowler and was named player of the tournament for his starring role during Australia’s World Cup triumph on home soil earlier this year.
Australia are now set to face England in a five-match one-day series starting in Southampton on Thursday after Monday’s lone Twenty20 in Cardiff saw the tourists go down to a five-run defeat.
But in his four-over spell in Cardiff the 22-year-old Cummins bowled at sharp pace, an encouraging sign given the injuries that have already blighted his career.
“I guess when you’re the No. 1 bowler in the world, you automatically become a leader and someone that people try and speak to,” Cummins said of Starc. “He’s great...His yorkers are probably one of the best in the world, so I talk to him a little bit about that.”
There was evidence of Starc’s influence in the way Cummins, beset by injury problems during the past five years, bowled Alex Hales with a full toss after the England opener appeared to struggle with his sheer speed.
Cummins said a simple adjustment to his run-up had also played a role in his ability to top the 90mph mark. “I’ve started measuring it for once — I used to step it out,” Cummins said.
“Some games, from one end it’d be a metre in front of someone and down the other end it would be a metre behind.
“Now I’ve got the ruler and measuring tape out it’s a bit more consistent. I’m trying to get as many things consistent [as possible], so, hopefully, by the time I release the ball I don’t have to worry about all those things that came before and it’s pretty similar every ball.”
And Cummins said a clear head was helping him do what he does his best — bowl fast.
“When you’re feeling quick and the ball is coming out quick it’s certainly tough for batsmen starting ... especially in Twenty20.
“In the first couple of overs if you can bowl quick and make it hard for them to get off to good starts the better [for the team].
“I just try and bowl quick.”
