Cummins first in line for medal

GOLDEN boy Patrick Cummins has been backed by teammates to create history and become the first bowler to win back-toback Allan Border Medals.

Cummins was this week named the ICC Test Player of the Year with his 59 wickets in 2019, a staggering 14 more than Nathan Lyon at No.2.

Cummins (12 Tests) enjoyed the most prolific calendar year by an Australian fast bowler since Mitchell Johnson grabbed 63 wickets from 13 Tests in 2009.

A survey of some of Australia’s top cricketers revealed that Cummins (pictured) was the popular choice to join Ricky Ponting (2004, 2006-07, 2009), Michael Clarke (2005, 2009, 2012-13), Shane Watson (2010-11), David Warner (2016-17) and Steve Smith (2015, 2018) as a multiple AB Medal recipient.

Cummins, 26, would also become the youngest player to win the prestigious award twice.

“Hard to go past Pat Cummins,” Australia’s white-ball captain Aaron Finch said.

“Playing most games in all formats … I can’t see anyone pipping Patty Cummins.

“Now I’ve thought about it more, I think that he might win it by the length of the straight, and it’ll be a fight for who’s second and third.”

Smith, who starred with the bat during the Ashes series, said Cummins had taken “a mountain of wickets in all forms of the game” and would go back-to-back after another “terrific year”.

Voting closed after this month’s Sydney Test, with the current ODI series in India counting towards next year’s medal. The winner will be announced on February 10.