Aussies cruise to series victory

Pat Cummins' devastating touch in one-day cricket is set to give captain Aaron Finch serious pause for thought as to who he throws the new ball to when Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood return.

Refreshed after a two-game, two-week layoff, Cummins was back to his frightening best with a new-ball blitz in Wednesday's third ODI that left Pakistan's series hopes in tatters.

The reigning Allan Border Medallist matched pinpoint accuracy with significant seam movement to nick off three of Pakistan's most important batsmen in the space of 11 balls.

Cummins now has 15 wickets at 11.64 in his last five ODIs, an ominous sign ahead of the World Cup.

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But perhaps his most telling stat is that he's got at least one wicket in his first three overs in all but one of those games.

Striking with the brand new Kookaburra is one of limited-overs cricket's catchcries for a reason and it will likely be a major factor in the UK should flat, batting-friendly pitches be commonplace.

The fact Cummins has become a proven early wicket-taker could leave Finch with a difficult decision when regular new-ball bowlers Starc and Hazlewood are back.

"Patty has been brilliant with the new ball and it's something he hasn't done a hell of a lot over the last couple of years," said Finch.

"The fact that Josh (Hazlewood) and 'Starcy' haven't been around as much, it probably gave that opportunity to Patty over the last (few) months.

"He's done a great job. He's been brilliant.

"He's a world-class bowler. We've seen how much he has improved over the last couple of years and his resilience."

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The injured duo of Starc and Hazlewood, who are both on track to return in time for Australia's World Cup campaign, both have strong cases to remain bowling options one and two.

Starc was the player of the tournament at the last World Cup with 22 wickets at 10.18 and remains one of the most lethal white-ball bowlers when the ball is swinging.

Hazlewood shared the new rock in that 2015 triumph, offers a point of difference with his bounce compared to the skiddier Starc and himself has a terrific career ODI record with 72 wickets at 25.

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Cummins stressed he was happy to remain the go-to first-change bowler during the recent home Test summer where he finished as Australia's leading wicket taker, but has relished being the main man in subsequent ODI campaigns on the subcontinent.

"I love bowling with the new ball, especially in one-day cricket on these kind of wickets, the ball deteriorates quite quickly," he said after Australia's second ODI against India earlier this month.

However the roles are divvied up, Cummins' stamina may well figure as an asset as important as his new-ball bowling.

James Anderson and Kagiso Rabada are the only two fast bowlers in the world to have bowled more overs across all formats than Cummins since his return from a six-year injury-ridden absence from Test cricket in March 2017.

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Cummins again has gotten through a home season without major injury and has impressed teammates with a continued hunger to be up for a contest even at the end of it.

"He's had an incredibly long summer, he's played most games. It's been incredible to see how fresh he still is now," said Finch.

"He's had (two weeks) off since the last Indian ODI to now. To come out and not miss a beat, it's been incredible.

"He's a world-class athlete and his bowling speaks for itself, and even with the batting, he chips in. In the field he's a gun.

"So it's a pretty special package."

Qantas Tour of the UAE

First ODI: Australia won by eight wickets

Second ODI: Australia won by eight wickets

Third ODI: Australia won by 80 runs

Fourth ODI: v Pakistan, March 29 in Dubai

Fifth ODI: v Pakistan, March 31 in Dubai

(all matches begin at 10pm AEDT)