Watch: Pat Cummins made his Test debut as an 18-year-old in 2011, and had a dream start, ending with the Player of the Match award after starring with both bat and ball for Australia against South Africa.

Cummins’ first Test wicket was Hashim Amla, whose vigil at the crease lasted 70 deliveries in the first innings of the second match of the series in Johannesburg. The No.3 batter tried to drive a full-length ball outside the off-stump but only ended up edging it to Ricky Ponting at second slip for 19, as Cummins picked his only wicket of the innings. South Africa were bowled out for 266 after they had elected to bat first.

In reply, the visitors took a lead of 30, getting dismissed for 296, with the opening duo of Shane Watson and Phil Hughes hitting 88 runs each. Cummins’ outing with the bat lasted only seven deliveries and two runs, having not managed to turn heads in his debut thus far.

All of that changed thereafter when Australia got a chance to bowl again. Taking the new ball alongside Mitchell Johnson, Cummins was unplayable, taking the wicket of Jacques Rudolph as the Proteas lost their first wicket. His spell to Jacques Kallis was the highlight, leaving the on-air commentators in awe.

The teenager peppered the all-rounder with short deliveries at his chest, intimidating him with 90mph rockets and getting the ball to swing away as Kallis played and missed. Cummins soon had his reward when the veteran went after the ball on the off-stump angled away, managing an inside edge to Michael Clarke at first slip.

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“Australia have found something very, very special with this youngster, he looks extraordinary,” quipped the commentators.

Cummins went on to pick a six-wicket haul, including dismissing AB de Villiers, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel to end with 6-79, which was then best figures on debut by an Australia quick this century before Scott Boland bettered his record during the 2021/22 Ashes with 6-7.

The right-hander’s contribution to the game was not over, as he returned to score the winning runs with the bat. Needing 310 runs for a series-levelling win, Australia made a strong comeback after they were deduced to 19-2, reaching 287-6 before they lost two quick wickets. Peter Siddle, the eighth wicket, was dismissed with 18 runs still needed when Cummins walked out to bat alongside Johnson.

Cummins showed nerves of steel, fending off 15 deliveries and scoring two fours, including the match-winning boundary to seal the tense game for the side, winning the Player of the Match award in his very first Test.

However, he had to wait six more years to play his second Test for Australia after a string of injuries halted his progress. He has managed to make a remarkable comeback, emerging as one of the most lethal quicks in the format besides leading the Australian Test team.

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