Former England captain Michael Vaughan says Pat Cummins will be Australia’s best cricketer since Don Bradman

After a Test great said Pat Cummins could go down as Australia’s second-greatest ever cricketer, over 3500 people had their say on who is Australia’s best player since Bradman. See the results here.

Pat Cummins will go down as Australia’s second-greatest cricketer according to former England captain Michael Vaughan.

Cummins was at his devastating best with the ball on day one of the SCG Test, taking five wickets including the crucial dismissal of Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan for a defiant 88 just before tea.

But as the fast bowler continues to build on his already impressive legacy, Vaughan claimed that once his career is over it will rate only behind Sir Donald Bradman.

“I don’t think he’s ever going to surpass Sir Don, but I think Cummins is going to end up being Australia’s greatest cricketer after Sir Don,” Vaughan said on Fox Cricket.

“I honestly think he’s that good. Captain, bowling, numbers, five to seven years left to play you would think.

“He’s that good that we’ll be talking about him in a few years’ time as just behind Sir Don Bradman.”

Cummins claimed his third-consecutive five-wicket haul on day one at the SCG. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

It’s a strong declaration from Vaughan considering the calibre of players Australian fans have had to cheer for over the years. Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting, Greg Chappell and Steve Smith would all be in the conversation, but there’s no doubt that Cummins’ record stacks up among the best.

Cummins took his career tally to 257 wickets in 58 Tests after finishing with 5-61 against Pakistan on Wednesday, his third-consecutive five-wicket haul.

Only Glenn McGrath has taken more wickets at a better average for Australia than Cummins (22.12).

While across Tests in Australia, Cummins’ average has now dropped to 19.09, giving him the third-best average in home conditions in the history of Test cricket (minimum 100 wickets).

Cummins’ record could have been greater if injury hadn’t cruelled the early part of his Test career.

Since making his debut in 2011, Cummins has missed 70 Tests for his country through injury or unavailability. With an incredible strike rate of 46.2, Cummins could have more than doubled his current wicket tally and already be considered cricket’s greatest-ever fast bowler at just 30.

But it’s a credit to Australian cricket that they put their faith in science and rest when Cummins’ body was failing him. The result is an experienced bowler in his 30s now bowling with the energy of a 20-year-old and the peak of his powers still to come.

As Vaughan mentioned, Cummins’ credentials are further enhanced by his exemplary start to life as Australian captain.

Cummins has had a phenomenal summer. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

While he’s been faultless in Test series at home, the Australian side has also claimed a historic World Cup win in India, a maiden World Test Championship win and retained the Ashes in England under his watch.

His bowling record also shows that he has embraced the pressure of juggling captaincy and being a strike bowler. Since taking on the mantle, his strike rate has improved by almost three balls per wicket, while he has also taken more five-wicket hauls in fewer Tests.

However, according to readers of this masthead, Vaughan may have jumped the gun in giving Cummins such high praise.

In an online poll, the late Shane Warne still ranks as Australia’s best player since Bradman. The legendary leg-spinner received more than half of the over 2,000 votes with Ricky Ponting coming in second with just under 20 per cent. Chappell, Smith, Adam Gilchrist and Keith Miller also received more votes than Cummins.

But time is certainly on Cummins’ side and Vaughan could be proved right if the success of this all-conquering Australian team continues.

Originally published as Former England captain Michael Vaughan says Pat Cummins will be Australia’s best cricketer since Don Bradman