Pat Cummins says he wants to earn selection for Australia’s World Cup campaign

REJUVENATED young fast bowler Pat Cummins has declared Australian World Cup selection is a realistic goal for him this summer.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 07: Patrick Cummins of Australia celebrates after he caught out David Miller of South Africa during game two of the International Twenty20 Series between Australia and South Africa at Melbourne Cricket Ground on November 7, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

REJUVENATED fast bowler Pat Cummins has declared Australian World Cup selection is a realistic goal for him this summer.

New South Wales has indicated Cummins will be eased back slowly into four-day cricket over the coming months, eager to ensure the 21-year-old’s body is given the best chance to strengthen following a string of injury setbacks.

The Blues intend to build Cummins up through grade cricket rather than rushing him back into their Sheffield Shield side, however the right-arm quick with superstar potential says he wants to return to the ODI side in time for the home World Cup.

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Cummins was the standout in Australia’s seven-wicket T20 thrashing of South Africa on Friday night, immediately sparking debate about whether he could be a first Test smoky against India.

He also showed promising signs in the recent Matador One-Day Cup.

Pat Cummins (R) is congratulated after taking the wicket of South Africa’s Ryan McLaren.

A stunning return to the baggy green would appear out of the question this summer, but Cummins hopes plans to manage his workload don’t preclude him from World Cup consideration.

“I’d love to be in that ODI team for the World Cup,” he said after taking 1-11 at the MCG in a spell of blistering pace and aggression.

“After the T20s we will see where I’m at but hopefully I can get back into first-class cricket pretty quickly.

“But I’ll probably have to have a couple of games of trying to get used to bowling long spells again.

“The good thing is NSW (coach Trevor Bayliss and staff) are the same guys I’ve been working with for the last couple of years and we’re all really open with our conversations.

“I want to play every game but I’m a realist.

Cummins is relishing being back on the park after a frustrating run of injuries.

“I know what they have planned is best for me and to be honest I’m totally on board with them.

“It’s not at the stage where I get told what to do. It’s more of a conversation and we come to a happy medium.”

Cummins stormed onto the international scene back in 2011 on the tour of South Africa, culminating in a memorable Test debut aged 18 in Johannesburg.

However, since then a run of injury dramas, mainly with his back, have restricted Cummins to just a handful of short-form internationals and frustrating stints on the sidelines.

Finally, Cummins has his confidence back.

This T20 series is the first time he’s played internationals on home soil, and on Sunday the boy from Sydney’s west has a chance to shine in his own backyard at ANZ Stadium in the tournament decider.

“That gets me really excited and gets us buzzing, just seeing the whole carnival that comes with playing for Australia in Australia,” Cummins said.

“Overseas you feel like you’re in a little Australian team bubble.

“Over here, it’s great. You walk down the street and have a coffee and see all the people walking around in Australian jerseys.

“Just playing more games I’ve felt a lot better.

“In the past, maybe there was a little bit of thinking about actions and trying to swing the ball and worrying about those things.

“Rather than just going out and bowling.”

Cummins doesn’t believe his bowling action is vastly different to before his injuries, despite making some modifications which have him trying to stand up taller in his approach to the crease.

He says the main change has been the adding of a couple of kilograms to become stronger as well as the benefit of a few more years’ experience.