Pat Cummins eyes ODI return before South Africa Tests

SYDNEY: Australia captain Pat Cummins is preparing to return to one-day cricket during the team’s upcoming tour of South Africa as he builds towards a demanding Test series against the Proteas.

Cummins has played only two ODIs since guiding Australia to the 2023 World Cup title in Ahmedabad. With the fast bowler managing his workload, Steven Smith, Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis have led Australia in his absence.

Australia’s busy schedule will begin with three ODIs against Zimbabwe on September 15, 18 and 20 before the team travels to South Africa for another three-match 50-over series from September 24 to 30.

Cummins, however, indicated that he may not play the entire ODI leg, with Australia’s Test commitments firmly at the centre of their planning.

“I think I’ll be part of at least some of it,” Cummins said after Australia levelled their two-Test series against Bangladesh with a two-day victory in Mackay.

“I’d imagine it’d be one, two, probably a maximum of three games out of those six,” he added.

The decision reflects Australia’s growing concern over the workload of their leading fast bowlers. Cummins suggested that he, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood could be given a short break from bowling before beginning a gradual build-up towards the Test series.

“We’ll probably all have, I imagine, a week or two off bowling, still do your gym work, and then we’ll start building up for that series,” Cummins said.

Starc and Hazlewood have also indicated that they expect to feature in at least some of the ODIs, giving Australia an opportunity to balance match preparation with player fitness.

Despite the focus on Test cricket, the South Africa ODIs will carry added importance as Australia begin preparations for the 2027 World Cup. Most of that tournament is scheduled to take place in South Africa, with Zimbabwe and Namibia also involved as hosts.

Starc has played nine ODIs since the 2023 World Cup, while Hazlewood has appeared in 11 during the same period. Their involvement could provide valuable preparation ahead of the global tournament.

Australia face an intense international schedule, with the team potentially playing as many as 21 Tests over a 12-month period. Managing the workload of their senior fast bowlers will therefore be crucial.

The ODI series against South Africa will finish in Potchefstroom on September 30, followed by a two-day practice match at the same venue on October 3 and 4. The Test squad will then travel to Durban.

The Test series carries historical significance as Australia return to South Africa for their first red-ball tour since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.

South Africa also defeated Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s last year, adding another layer of intrigue to the upcoming contest.

For Cummins, the ODI comeback could offer the perfect bridge between limited-overs cricket and the tougher Test challenge that awaits.