This article is about Pat Cummins, Australia’s fast-bowling sensation and captain.
From his record-breaking Test debut to leading Australia in World Cups and starring in the IPL, we cover his journey, achievements, and cricketing milestones.
Pat Cummins Quick Profile
- Full Name: Patrick James Cummins
- Date of Birth: 8 May 1993
- Birthplace: Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Nationality: Australian
- Role: Right-arm fast bowler
- Batting Style: Right-handed (lower order)
- Current Role: Captain of Australia (all formats)
Patrick James Cummins is an Australian international cricketer widely regarded as one of the finest fast bowlers of the modern era.
Known for his pace, accuracy, and calm leadership, Cummins has taken over 500 international wickets and led Australia to multiple ICC titles across formats.
Pat Cummins Career Overview
Early Life & Domestic Beginnings
Pat Cummins was born in Westmead, New South Wales. His talent stood out in junior cricket, allowing him to progress rapidly through age-group levels and represent New South Wales at the Under-17 stage.
He made his domestic debut for New South Wales during the 2010–11 season.
Big Bash League Breakthrough
- During his first Big Bash League season (2010–11), Cummins finished as the joint leading wicket-taker with 11 wickets.
- He maintained an impressive economy rate of 6.59, showcasing control, aggression, and maturity beyond his age.
This combination of discipline and aggression firmly established him as one of Australia’s most exciting young pace prospects.
International Debut & Instant Impact
Pat Cummins made his international debut in October 2011 in a T20I against South Africa.
Within weeks, he was handed his Test debut at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, becoming Australia’s youngest Test cricketer since 1953.
On debut, he took six wickets, dismissed Hashim Amla for his first Test wicket, and won the Player of the Match award.
Injury Struggles & Long Absence
Soon after his remarkable start, Cummins’ career was disrupted by recurring back and heel injuries. Between 2012 and 2016, multiple stress fractures forced him out of Test cricket for nearly six years.
Playing Style
Pat Cummins is a high-pace fast bowler who relies on bounce, seam movement, and accuracy rather than excessive swing. He is most effective with the new ball and in short, aggressive spells, particularly in Test cricket.
With the bat, Cummins is a capable lower-order contributor and has the ability to score quick runs when required.
Key Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- Consistent pace above 140 km/h
- Steep bounce on all surfaces
- Excellent control in long Test spells
- Calm temperament and strong leadership
- Useful lower-order batting ability
Weaknesses
- Injury management has limited his availability in some IPL seasons
- Not a specialist death-overs bowler compared to swing-focused pacers
Career Comeback & IPL Breakthrough
Test Comeback & Rise as a World-Class Bowler
Cummins returned to Test cricket during Australia’s 2017 tour of India. From the 2017–18 Ashes onwards, he established himself as Australia’s most reliable fast bowler and a permanent fixture across formats.
IPL Journey, Auctions & Key Moments
Pat Cummins made his IPL debut with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014, later playing for Delhi Daredevils (2017) and Mumbai Indians (2018).
In IPL 2020, KKR signed him for ₹15.5 crore, then a record for an overseas player. He equalled the fastest IPL fifty in 2022, and in 2024, Sunrisers Hyderabad bought him for ₹20.50 crore and named him captain.
Pat Cummins Cricket Journey
Rise as the World’s Best Fast Bowler
From 2017-18, Cummins entered his peak years. He led the 2017-18 Ashes with 23 wickets, became the No.1 ranked Test bowler, won the Allan Border Medal (2019), and was named ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year for his consistency and impact under pressure.
Captaincy & Leadership Era
Appointed Test captain in 2021, Cummins later led Australia across formats. Under his leadership, Australia won the World Test Championship (2023), ODI World Cup (2023), retained the Ashes in England, and reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, earning praise for calm, modern leadership.
Major Achievements & Career Highlights
Pat Cummins’ career is defined by elite individual honors and historic team achievements at the highest level of international cricket.
Key career highlights include:
- 500+ international wickets across formats
- ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year
- Allan Border Medal winner
- World Test Championship–winning captain
- ODI World Cup–winning captain
- IPL finalist captain with Sunrisers Hyderabad
T20 & Limited-Overs Impact
In ODIs, he has delivered impactful new-ball spells and controlled middle-overs bowling, while contributing as a lower-order hitter when required. His leadership in the 2023 ODI World Cup highlighted his tactical awareness in limited-overs cricket.
In T20Is, Cummins has showcased his effectiveness in short formats, achieving hat-tricks in consecutive T20I matches in 2024. His ability to adapt pace, length, and intent makes him a valuable asset in high-pressure T20 situations.
Pat Cummins Overall Stats
Bowling Summary
| Metric | Tests | ODIs | T20Is | FC | List A | T20s |
| Mat | 72 | 90 | 57 | 86 | 116 | 171 |
| Inns | 134 | 90 | 57 | 159 | 116 | 171 |
| Balls | 14391 | 4683 | 1254 | 16993 | 6007 | 3826 |
| Runs | 6946 | 4116 | 1556 | 8200 | 5218 | 5248 |
| Wkts | 315 | 143 | 66 | 361 | 183 | 192 |
| BBI | 6/23 | 5/70 | 3/15 | 6/23 | 5/70 | 4/16 |
| BBM | 10/62 | 5/70 | 3/15 | 10/62 | 5/70 | 4/16 |
| Ave | 22.05 | 28.78 | 23.57 | 22.71 | 28.51 | 27.33 |
| Econ | 2.89 | 5.27 | 7.44 | 2.89 | 5.21 | 8.23 |
| SR | 45.6 | 32.7 | 19.0 | 47.0 | 32.8 | 19.9 |
| 4w | 17 | 6 | 0 | 20 | 8 | 3 |
| 5w | 14 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 0 |
| 10w | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Batting & Fielding Summary
| Metric | Tests | ODIs | T20Is | FC | List A | T20s |
| Mat | 72 | 90 | 57 | 86 | 116 | 171 |
| Inns | 107 | 59 | 27 | 124 | 75 | 100 |
| NO | 13 | 22 | 12 | 21 | 26 | 43 |
| Runs | 1567 | 537 | 158 | 1901 | 754 | 1001 |
| HS | 64* | 37 | 28 | 82* | 49 | 66* |
| Ave | 16.67 | 14.51 | 10.53 | 18.45 | 15.38 | 17.56 |
| BF | 3312 | 703 | 133 | 3887 | 941 | 723 |
| SR | 47.31 | 76.38 | 118.79 | 48.90 | 80.12 | 138.45 |
| 100s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 50s | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 3 |
| 4s | 153 | 43 | 11 | 196 | 58 | 62 |
| 6s | 35 | 12 | 7 | 37 | 19 | 60 |
| Ct | 36 | 24 | 16 | 41 | 35 | 45 |
| St | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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