Potential Ashes ace Pat Cummins is eyeing off a return to long-form cricket and wants to play at least one Sheffield Shield game this domestic season.
Cummins has been earmarked as a Test star since snaring seven wickets on debut against South Africa in 2011.
But a cruel run of serious back issues has grounded him from the Test scene ever since, with his last first-class appearance coming 17 months ago.
His lack of long-form cricket meant Cummins was overlooked for the upcoming four-Test tour of India.
But hopes are growing that Cummins could become a key figure for Australia in next summer's home Ashes series against England.
Cummins took eight wickets in the ODI whitewash of NZ in December, and he snared 3-33 in the opening one-day win against Pakistan.
The 23-year-old has also played a series of BBL and one-day games this summer at domestic level, fuelling hope his body is finally ready to handle the rigours of professional cricket.
Cummins isn't counting his chickens just yet, knowing he must get through the current series against Pakistan, and then one-day clashes with NZ (ODI) and Sri Lanka (T20) before he can even think about rekindling his Test dream.
But if his body holds up through all that, Cummins is desperate to test himself in Shield ranks at the tail-end of the season.
"The body feels great," Cummins said.
"If I get through all these eight one-dayers, it's a lot of overs at high intensity, so it should get me ready for Shield cricket.
"I think the beauty of the Aussie summer is that even if you're not in the Test side, there's so much cricket on that there's always another chance to play, and try to get yourself a spot in any team.
"I knew I wasn't going to be selected (for the India Test tour). I haven't played a Shield game yet.
"But knowing I've got heaps of one-dayers and T20s and the possibility of a Shield game at the end of the season is pretty exciting."
Cummins will be back in action in Thursday's ODI clash with Pakistan at the WACA Ground.
The series is level at 1-1 after Pakistan belted Australia by six wickets at the MCG on Sunday.
