India tour is the best time to unleash Pat Cummins, feels Brett Lee

Former Australian speedster Brett Lee believes that it is high time for pacer Pat Cummins to get in the mix of things for Test cricket. Cummins has made sporadic appearances for the national side but is yet to play in the longest format. The Cricket Australia has had a very protective behaviour towards Cummins. They intend to keep fit and active for the Ashes next summer.

However, Brett Lee believes that keeping him in the shell and depriving him of Test cricket will do no good. The 23-year old deserves his time in the middle. The selectors fear that their priced weapon might get injured and hence have kept Pat Cummins at bay. Brett Lee recently opined that Cummins should tour India to get the feel of conditions and the Test cricket. Cummins has been on the fringes of national side for last 5 years but has tasted only limited overs cricket.

Lee said that being overly cautious about Cummins getting injured might backfire. He feels that if not in the team, Cummins should at least be allowed to bowl in the nets. “Absolutely in my opinion. Whether they will or not, there’s a lot of red flagging going on about players being on the cusp of getting injured. I’m sick of reading about that to be honest. If they’re not prepared to play him take him in the team, let him bowl in the nets and just bowl and bowl and bowl,” quoted Brett Lee.

He further cited that one cannot simply make a transition from featuring in one odd game at domestic level and switch to Test cricket. “Just get him in that mix again where he’s confident and he knows his body and he’s bowling under duress. You can’t just go from a Shield match or one first-grade game and expect to just go and play Test cricket. You need to keep playing a lot of cricket,” cited the former Aussie quick.

When Australia took on New Zealand in the first ODI on Sunday recently, it was the first instance when Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc played in the same line up. “With those three back in the mix, we’re spoilt for talent aren’t we,” he remarked. Brett Lee conceded that a lot of expertise is needed when bowling in India. Although the pitches in India are ruled by the spinners, Lee believes that the Aussie quicks are capable of turning the heat on the Indians. Australia are scheduled to tour India in February next year.

“Bowling in India you need a few things. Firstly you need patience and secondly you need to know your game better than anyone, including your captain. Hazlewood could be very effective because he bowls that stump to stump line and gets that extra bit of bounce,” said the former pacer.

Commenting specifically about Cummins, Lee pointed out the weakness of the bowler and also gave a remedial solution. He quoted, “Cummins with his change of pace (would be dangerous) and Starc can blast them out with his pure pace. The only (mark against) Pat Cummins is because of the lack of cricket, but the only way to get him into cricket is to let him play. Put him on the tour, let him get that experience again and let him feel like he’s going to be part of this new team going forward.”