Conqueror Cummins won’t be returning

WORCESTERSHIRE head coach Steve Rhodes admits Barbados fast bowler Miguel Cummins is unlikely to return to New Road next season despite his heroic performance in the win over Sussex.

Cummins, 26, earned plaudits from both sides after taking 12 wickets as the Pears pipped Sussex by 11 runs to improve their chances of picking up the runnersup prize money in Division Two.

He made his West Indies debut in an ODI in 2014 but has only really emerged this year in the recent series against India, when he took 12 wickets including 6-48 in the second Test in St Lucia.

Having taken 7-84 in the first innings he added 5-82 in the second, taking the last four Sussex wickets and finishing the match by uprooting Steve Magoffin’s middle stump before embarking on a spectacular celebratory lap of the outfield with his jubilant teammates in hot pursuit.

Rhodes said: “I thought Miguel was magnificent. He kept coming in hard and to take 12 wickets was a mighty fine effort. But we can only sign one overseas player in the Championship and we’ve got John Hastings coming next year who is as tremendous cricketer.”

Cummins’ performance won’t have surprised Sussex’s Chris Jordan. They made their Barbados debuts together in 2012 and Jordan appeared to be on course to win their personal duel – and the game for Sussex – until he was turned around by Cummins after reaching his second 50 of the match.

Jordan said: “I got a decent ball from Miguel. I tried to keep him out as much as possible but he bowled superbly all game.”

Jordan and David Wiese looked to have turned a contest of fluctuating fortunes Sussex’s way when they put on 114 in 23 overs for the seventh wicket.

Jordan added: “After putting ourselves in a position where we needed 272 on a pitch which was good for batting if you applied yourself it was disappointing not to get over the line. But we can take a lot of confidence from our performance – Steve Magoffin took ten wickets and was magnificent.”