Pat Cummins believes that legendary fast bowler Dennis Lillee put him on the path to glory.
The Australia Test captain missed five and a half years between his first and second Tests because of some serious structural injuries but claimed his 200th Test wicket on Friday in his 44th Test.
“DK has been awesome,” Cummins said. “He’s not here in Perth this week, he’s away, but I’ve chatted to him a few times.
“I think that rebuilding phase [during injuries] gave me the confidence I could come back a better bowler and I think over the years, chatting to him over the phone, he’s seen it all before.
“He remembers what Test cricket was like even though it was a little while ago. So he remembers how tough it can be and how to manage your body and manage spells. And having someone like him in my corner giving some words of encouragement, some words of technique advice, every now and then is awesome.”
Only four Australians, Clarrie Grimmett (36 Tests), Lillee (38), Stuart MacGill (41) and Shane Warne (42) have achieved the milestone in fewer Tests.
Pat Cummins removes Kraigg Brathwaite to pick up his 200th Test wicket.Credit:Getty
On reaching the milestone Cummins also became part of another unique record with four bowlers in a Test attack all having passed 200 wickets each, Nathan Lyon (440), Mitchell Starc (290), Josh Hazlewood (216) and Cummins (202).
“We just heard that five mintues ago and were trying to think of other bowling attacks thinking that stat wasn’t right” Cummins said. “It’s great. The three other guys are three of my best mates. We all get along so well.
“Again it’s not just the time out in the middle, it’s the amount of dinners and nights in physio rooms hanging out together.
“So it’s a really special group we’ve got going. We just have so much confidence in each other. Even today it just felt so relaxed the whole day that once you finished your spell someone else was going to step up.”
Cummins’ average of just 21.5 and strike rate of 47.1 is better than any of the other 18 Australians who have crossed the 200 wicket mark.
“Incredible, it’s pretty crazy,” he said. “There’s still plenty of guys I know who have taken 300, 400, 700 wickets, so comparing numbers doesn’t seem as significant as others, but any milestone when I think of wickets, I think of longevity and knowing I had a bit of time out of the game, it’s always a nice realisation.”
As Test captain Cummins decided not to enforce the follow-on, believing it’s all but dead.
“You always bowl better when you’re slightly fresher,” said Cummins, who sent the West Indies back into the field after bowling them out for 283 in reply to Australia’s 4-598 declared.
“Day five is normally harder than day three or four. There’s really not too many instances where the follow on is realistic. I think some of the commentators like day fives off, so that’s normally why they talk about it.”
