Rising Aussie quick Billy Stanlake is drawing on the inspirational comeback of Pat Cummins

PAT Cummins went through hell for five and a half years as he battled injuries — but not only is he fit and firing, he’s having a profound impact on Australia’s next generation of quicks.

Australian paceman Pat Cummins injury recovery is being used to inspire rising star Billy Stanlake.

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PAT Cummins’ cruel five-and-a-half year injury hell would’ve seemed never-ending for the pace ace, but it could prove to have a second silver lining for Australian cricket.

In addition to steeling Cummins for a triumphant return to Test cricket, it is now being used as inspiration for rising pace sensation Billy Stanlake who is eyeing his own red-ball homecoming following an injury-plagued start to his career.

Working alongside former Australian pacemen Andy Bichel and James Hopes, Stanlake has finetuned his bowling technique to make the most of the natural gifts that come with being a 204cm giant who can fling the rock near speeds of 150km/h.

Billy Stanlake has already made an impact at international level — but wants to play all three forms of the game. Picture: Getty

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The 23-year-old has played just two first class matches — against South Australia and New South Wales within a month of each other in 2015 — and is champing at the bit to have another crack.

The go-slow approach as Stanlake recovered from back and toe complains — and even a broken pinky — has been painful at times, but along the journey Stanlake has followed the progress of one teammate in particular.

He took note of the strong parallels between his own injury woes and those of Cummins — who made a stunning Test debut, famously taking man-of-the-match honours with a seven-wicket haul against South Africa in 2011, before spending more than five years in an injury-enforced wilderness.

Pat Cummins (C) has made a brilliant return to the Test team, and played a starring role during the Ashes. Picture: AAP

And he’s taken heart from the triumphant return of Cummins to Test cricket in the past 18 months, with his lengthy rehabilitation processes finally bearing fruit.

“I had Patty Cummins to look at and how they managed him back into playing longer-format cricket,” Stanlake told The Daily Telegraph.

“He and I had pretty much identical injury paths, so I’ve got a lot of confidence out of that.

“I’ve seen him doing really well now and his body holding up in the longer forms so that’s great for me to see. I’ve just got to be patient.

“Because we have had similar injury paths it gives me great confidence seeing him do so well and his body (holding up). He’s played a lot of cricket — a lot of Test match cricket — in the last year and a half. That definitely gives me great confidence that hopefully I can do that one day.

It hasn’t all been smooth sailing for Stanlake, who has endured various injury problems in his short career. picture: AFP

“It’s definitely a goal of mine to play red-ball cricket again — it’s definitely something I’m aiming towards.

“When the time is right I think (a return to red-ball cricket) will happen.”

That time should come this summer — with Stanlake combining his work with Bichel and Hopes with a focus on fitness and strengthening his body.

“Cricket Australia’s focus with Billy, as it is with several players around the country, is around the white ball with an eye to the World Cup next year,” Queensland’s Chairman of Selectors Justin Sternes explained.

“We’re pleased Bill has got the opportunity to play some regular cricket during the JLT One Day Cup.

Billy Stanlake (C) celebrates the wicket of Redbacks batsman Callum Ferguson in the one-day competition. Picture: AAP

“He’s working hard on his bowling with Andy Bichel and James Hopes as well as other elements of his game like his fitness and fielding. Longer term we expect him to be a success across all formats but we’re comfortable with the path he is taking.”

Queensland will open their Sheffield Shield season in three weeks, at home against Tasmania, and there’s increasing optimism that Stanlake will be involved in the four-day games this summer.

The quick has successfully returned for the Bulls in his first foray at domestic one-day cricket in three years — ripping through South Austraila on Tuesday, finishing with 3-36 in a devastating display.

“The last couple of years I’ve picked up a couple of injuries just beforehand so it’s been very frustrating to miss out — but it’s great to be back,” he said.

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Originally published as Rising Aussie quick Billy Stanlake is drawing on the inspirational comeback of Pat Cummins