Pat Cummins has firmly established himself as one of the most accomplished fast bowlers in Australian cricket history. Making his Test debut in 2011 against South Africa in Johannesburg, Cummins faced several injury setbacks during the early years of his career. However, his impressive return to the Test side in 2016 against India marked the beginning of an exceptional run. With over 270 wickets in the longest format at an average under 25, Cummins has become one of Australia’s greatest fast bowlers. Known for his relentless accuracy, he consistently bowls tight lines and lengths, maintaining precision around the off-stump and sticking to a consistent good-length area.
Top five best bowling figures by Pat Cummins in test cricket
5. 5/28 vs New Zealand, Melbourne, 2018
Pat Cummins produced a match-winning bowling performance against New Zealand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in December 2019. Replying to Australia’s tally of 467 runs, New Zealand were bowled out for just 148 runs in their first innings. Cummins starred for the hosts, picking up 5/28, including key wickets of Ross Taylor and Tom Latham. Australia ultimately won the game by 247 runs.
4. 6/91 vs England, Leeds, 2023
Cummins showcased his elite prowess with the ball in hand during the third test of Ashes 2023 in Leeds. After posting 263 runs in their first innings, Australia’s bowling attack, led by captain Pat Cummins, dismissed England for 237 runs.
Cummins starred for the visitors, recording figures of 6/91, including the dismissals of Joe Root and Harry Brook. However, a batting collapse in Australia’s second innings led to their defeat by three wickets.
3. 6/79 vs South Africa, Johannesburg, 2011
Cummins made a remarkable debut by picking 6/79 against South Africa in 2011 in Johannesburg. Bowling on a pace-friendly pitch, Cummins tore through the South African batting lineup to restrict the hosts to 339 runs in their second innings.
The Aussies won the game by a close margin of two wickets. Cummins was named Player of the Match for his second innings heroics.
2. 6/27 vs India, Melbourne 2018
One of Cummins’s most memorable performances in test cricket came at the MCG during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2018/19. Trailing by more than 350 runs in the first innings, Cummins’ fiery spell of 6/27 brought Australia back into the contest. Despite the pacer’s monumental effort, the hosts lost the game by 137 runs on the final day.
1. 6/23 vs Sri Lanka, Brisbane, 2019
Pat Cummins’ best innings bowling figures in test cricket are 6/23, which he recorded against Sri Lanka at the Gabba in 2019 in the day-night test match.
Cummins, after taking four wickets in Sri Lanka’s first innings, ran through the Sri Lankan batting order in their second innings with a six-wicket haul to restrict the visitors to 139 runs. Cummins’s exceptional spell included key wickets of Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Thirimanne. Australia won the test by an innings and 40 runs. Cummins was named Player of the Match for picking up 10 wickets in the game.
| Match | Opposition | Venue | Year | Bowling Figures | Key Wickets | Result | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day-Night Test | Sri Lanka | Gabba, Brisbane | 2019 | 6/23 | Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne | Australia won by an innings and 40 runs | Pat Cummins |
| Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2018/19 | India | MCG, Melbourne | 2018/19 | 6/27 | N/A | Australia lost by 137 runs | N/A |
| Test Debut | South Africa | Johannesburg | 2011 | 6/79 | N/A | Australia won by 2 wickets | Pat Cummins |
| Ashes 2023 | England | Leeds | 2023 | 6/91 | Joe Root, Harry Brook | Australia lost by 3 wickets | N/A |
| Test vs New Zealand | New Zealand | MCG, Melbourne | 2019 | 5/28 | Ross Taylor, Tom Latham | Australia won by 247 runs | Pat Cummins |