Cummins embraces World Cup pressure

Pace ace Pat Cummins can't wait for the pressure of the World Cup, having overcome a series of injury setbacks to be named in Australia's squad.

Australian cricketer Pat Cummins

Pace ace Pat Cummins can't wait for the pressure of the World Cup. (AAP)

Injury woes behind him, Pat Cummins is ready to embrace the pressure-cooker atmosphere of World Cup cricket.

Cummins was named in Australia's 15-man squad for the tournament on Sunday, having battled a series of serious setbacks since his memorable Test debut in 2011.

Cummins steered Australia to victory in his first Test at age 18 and has only enhanced his reputation as being the man for a crisis.

It's a handy trait to have as World Cup co-hosts Australia prepare for a series of pressure-laden contests.

"I love it (bowling under pressure)," Cummins said.

"Most of the boys want to be the match-winner.

"I get more nervous when I'm watching the game and things like that, I think once you're out there and you're in control (it's easier)."

Cricket Australia has been extremely cautious with Cummins over the past year, gradually increasing his workloads with an eye on the World Cup.

Cummins, who played two one-day games against South Africa last November, feels in fine fettle.

"I've been back bowling for over 12 months and haven't had any hiccups," Cummins said.

"It's at the stage now where I don't really have to think about any kind of injuries or niggles.

"I know that I can play cricket and I'm no more vulnerable to injuries than anyone else.

"I can worry about trying to bowl well, rather than having to worry about anything else."

Cummins hasn't played a first-class game since August 2013 and won't have a chance to play one this summer, given the World Cup overlaps with the second half of the Sheffield Shield season.

The right-armer still remained optimistic about his chances of touring the West Indies and England with the Test side this year.

"The goal for this summer and the last 12 months was always to play white-ball cricket and get confidence in my body," he said.

"After the World Cup ... I want to get back to red-ball (cricket) really quickly."


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Source: AAP


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