Teenage tearaway Pat Cummins is confident a niggling heel injury will not prevent him playing his first Test on Australian soil.
Cummins announced himself as a player of the future with a blistering haul of 6 for 79 in the second innings of the second Test against South Africa.
However, the 18-year-old finds himself in major demand.
Shane Watson (hamstring), Mitchell Johnson (foot) and Ryan Harris (hip) are all under injury clouds ahead of Australia's first Test against New Zealand in Brisbane starting on December 1.
Cummins, who was named man of the match for his efforts in Australia's two-wicket win over the Proteas in Johannesburg, is likely to be asked once again to lead the attack at the Gabba next week.
And he is upbeat that will not be an issue, despite admitting to lingering heel soreness on Thursday.
"I pulled up a little bit sore after the game the other day but hopefully should be right to go," Cummins said.
"My heel was a little bit sore but it's nothing too dramatic and it's not going to leave me out. It's nothing too serious.
"There's nothing you can do, just keep icing it up and it's not going to be a big problem."
Former players are already advising that Cummins be rested from the shorter forms of the game.
Australian captain Michael Clarke has spoken of the need to manage the workload of Cummins, who suffered minor back issues in the 2010/11 Sheffield Shield final.
The pace ace, who this time last year was playing Sydney grade cricket with Penrith, knows the risks and rigours involved in the game and says he is ready for a testing summer.
"I guess any player has got to be well managed and, being a bit younger, it's even more important," Cummins said.
"So it's great they are trying to look after me and all the young guys.
"I guess all the guys have been through rough patches so you've got to leave it in perspective and know it's never going to be rosy forever."
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, australia First posted November 24, 2011 18:25:03
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