Cummins into Test squad

Pat Cummins will be a member of Australia's Test squad in South Africa © Getty Images

Pat Cummins, the young New South Wales fast bowler, has been included in the Australia Test squad for South Africa, named today by the outgoing chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch.

His selection in place of the young Victorian quick James Pattinson is the only change to the squad that enjoyed a 1-0 series success in Sri Lanka.

"Patrick Cummins has gained selection ahead of James for this tour," Hilditch said. "Patrick is a very exciting prospect and at just 18 years of age is already showing the ability to have a significant impact at international level.

"Patrick would have most likely been on the tour of Sri Lanka if not for injury at the end of last season. Now he's back fit and bowling well, we saw this as the right time to bring him into the Test squad for this important series.

"James is very unlucky to miss selection. He is a very good young fast bowler who has done well in his limited opportunities at international level to date.

"We're sure he'll return to the Sheffield Shield and place plenty of pressure on those in the Test squad ahead of what is a very demanding domestic summer of Test cricket."

Still only 18, Cummins has enjoyed a meteoric rise, and will now stay on in South Africa for the whole tour after impressing all who have viewed him in the two Twenty20 matches between the visitors and South Africa.

In those matches, Cummins returned figures of 3 for 25 and 2 for 26, encouraging the selectors to keep him in South Africa for the Tests.

There was a strong possibility that Cummins and Pattinson would be considered for the first home Tests of the summer against New Zealand, but Cummins' rapid progress has outstripped that scenario.

Earlier this year, Cummins became the youngest player to earn a Cricket Australia contract, though he spent some of the off-season convalescing after he complained of back soreness at the end of the domestic season.

Cummins' marathon stint in the Sheffield Shield final against Tasmania - he bowled 48 overs in collecting 3 for 118 - was the probable source of that complaint, but also demonstrated his ability to sustain his pace and discipline across long periods.

In South Africa, Cummins has made quite an impression on the Australian squad, earning high praise from Cameron White and Shane Watson after his T20 debut. Watson said Cummins' level head had been noticeable.

"There's no way he will let it get to his head," Watson said. "Deep down he knows that it's a really special gift that he's got, to bowl that fast at such a young age."

White said Cummins had bowled "like a seasoned pro" and was the difference between victory and defeat in Australia's first match of the tour.

Squad: Michael Clarke (c), Shane Watson (vc), Michael Beer, Trent Copeland, Patrick Cummins, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Phil Hughes, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Ricky Ponting, Peter Siddle.