Paceman back to low load
CRICKET Australia could restrict fast bowler Pat Cummins to limited-overs cricket for the next year.
Cummins’ constant injury problems since his stunning Test debut in late 2011 have prompted an extremely conservative approach to rehabilitation.
The 20-year-old will soon resume in the Big Bash League, but there is a proposal that he not play any Sheffield Shield or Test cricket for the time being.
Australian team doctor Peter Brukner said Cummins could return to the national team in that time, but only for ODI or Twenty20 games.
‘‘ You’ll see Pat Cummins play limited- overs cricket . . . for the next year or two,’’ Brukner told ABC Radio.
‘‘Every time we’ve tried to play red- ball cricket with Cummins, he’s broken down.
‘‘There’s no point bashing your head against a brick wall any more.
‘‘That’s the sort of policy that’s being mooted . . . we ease him back into cricket, keep the loads fairly low.’’
Cummins and fellow young quicks Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson are all making comebacks.
Brukner said it was pointless pushing young pacemen until they had enough strength in their backs to cope with the demands of Test cricket.
‘‘We think the three of them are going to be great fast bowlers for the next decade,’’ Brukner said.
‘‘ There’s no point destroying his (Cummins’) body before 22-23. ‘‘We have to be patient.’’ Brukner said with the exception of current team bowling coach Craig McDermott, every young Australian paceman for the past 40 years had broken down with a back injury after playing Tests.
‘‘Young bowlers under the age of 24, it’s just been shown time and time again, the bones in their back . . . in their lumbar spine don’t have the strength,’’ he said. ‘‘Everyone — Dennis Lillee, Bruce Reid— all these people broke down and weren’t really able to play a full load of Test cricket until they were 24.’’