Former Aussie quick Damien Fleming says Pat Cummins sits comfortably in the top three of Australian fast bowlers he’s seen.
The Australian captain took his 200th wicket on Friday in what is just his 44th Test when a trademark peach crashed into Kraigg Brathwaite’s off stump. Cummins became the second-fastest Aussie to the milestone behind Dennis Lillee (38 Tests).
In another remarkable feat, Cummins's average after the West Indies' first innings in Perth of 21.50 is the best of any Australian bowler to have taken 200 or more wickets.
"One of his very best!"
— SEN Cricket (@SEN_Cricket) December 2, 2022
Pat Cummins brings up his 200th Test scalp in brilliant fashion! 👏👏#AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/Aldhx4ASuD
That’s despite often not taking the new ball as a member of one of the best fast-bowling outfits Australia’s ever had. Josh Hazlewood and Mitch Starc both have over 200 Test wickets to their names and Fleming has them among the most dangerous units in the world.
“They’re getting into elite company not just with wickets, but the amount of Test matches played,” Fleming noted on SEN Test Cricket.
“These are where great teams build. The more games they’ve played together in any sport, the cohesion of knowing (each other)… means you can build dynasties.
“As much as the batters are the engine room as we hear, you’ve got to get 20 wickets, and this Australian team can get 20 wickets in any conditions around the world.
“They’re different individually.”
But Cummins is Fleming’s standout, putting him amongst the best quicks he’s ever laid eyes on.
Along with Nathan Lyon – Australia’s greatest ever offspinner – Fleming remarked at the talent.
“Pat Cummins, I’ve got him in the top three of my time, Dennis Lillee, Glenn McGrath and Pat Cummins, and sort of clearly,” Fleming stated.
“Hazlewood and Starc are in that next rung below, (Jason) Gillespie, (Mitch) Johnson (etc)…
“I’m only saying from Dennis Lillee down, obviously I didn’t see Ray Lindwall and (Graham) McKenzie and those guys.
“If you’ve got four of your greatest bowers in one team, that’s pretty unique.”
Cummins famously debuted as an 18-year-old back in 2011 and claimed Man of the Match honours.
Injury would then rob him of more Test cricket until 2017, but at 29 years of age, Cummins would still hope for several more years at the top level.
Cummins and Australia currently have the West Indies on the ropes in the first Test in Perth, although the skipper is off the field with quad soreness.
Statement from Cricket Australia on Pat Cummins’ fitness 👇 pic.twitter.com/HJhVtbAfxM
— SEN Cricket (@SEN_Cricket) December 3, 2022