A star is born

Updated

Sorry, this video has expired Video: Aussies claim thrilling Test victory (ABC News)

What an astonishing Test debut from Pat Cummins.

The 18-year-old out-bowled his more experienced henchmen, then thumped the winning runs as Australia prevailed by two wickets in the second Test against South Africa in Johannesburg.

How many of Australia's star players have done as well as Cummins in their first match?

Not Bradman, nor Warne, nor McGrath.

Maybe Lillee with five wickets, but none of the past champions were as young or as immediately exploding with Cummins's talent.

Hopefully he won't play in meaningless Twenty20 matches more than occasionally, and be spared the full circus of a triangular one-day series.

He is the finest strike bowler Australia has had since McGrath and if he stays fit, his record could be equally imposing.

His pace and ability to swing, bounce and bowl batsmen will be refined with experience, and reinforced when Australia finds a suitable partner.

Mitchell Johnson has sadly failed to deliver in the last eight Tests since his match-winning performance in Perth and he should be replaced by Mitchell Starc, Ben Cutting or a fit Ryan Harris in Brisbane.

Ricky Ponting is hard to replace when you throw up the alternatives in the middle order.

He has probably earned another six Tests, but a mix of a fit Shaun Marsh and Shane Watson around the versatile David Warner could force him out if he doesn't capitalise on this significant second innings when Australia takes on New Zealand.

This was a memorable Test match and the result showed that the Australian team has the character to win again.

Michael Clarke will be a relieved captain, and grateful that Cummins has made a timely and emphatic debut.

Topics: sport, cricket, south-africa, australia

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