Pattinson, Cummins determined to become future of Oz fast bowling

Sydney, Oct.23 (ANI): Australian fast bowlers James Pattinson and Pat Cummins are determined to become the future of Australian fast bowling, though Pattinson will not feature in the forthcoming Test series against South Africa.

Up until a month ago, Pattinson he was the exciting youngster everybody was raving about in the Test squad, raring for his opportunity in Sri Lanka. But almost out of nowhere, 18-year-old Pat Cummins has stormed onto the scene and taken his place in the five-day squad for South Africa.

Like all good fast bowlers, Pattinson is fiercely competitive and wants his spot back.

However, when it comes to his relationship with Cummins, there's no competition and not even the slightest hint of jealousy. Only the beginning of what Australian cricket fans should hope is a long alliance. In South Africa, the rookie quicks have forged a tight bond.

Twenty-one-year-old Pattinson will fly home early to play Sheffield Shield cricket for Victoria.

"Hopefully we can lead the attack in years to come. Obviously he's (Cummins) a great talent and he's going to be great for Australia and I look forward to playing with him in the future," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Pattinson, as saying.

"We're the same sort of age, same sort of people and we have the same sort of likes, so I can see a big, big friendship building here and obviously a lot of success for Australia between us hopefully," he added.

"It's both of our ambitions (to lead the Australian attack). Hopefully we will live up to the expectations. It's a long time away from now, but hopefully we can get gradually into it and make our bodies right enough to play Test cricket together," Pattinson said.

In his debut season of international cricket, Pattinson's hardly put a foot wrong himself - three wickets at 4.7 runs an over in two ODIs and three wickets at 6.12 from two T20s.

According to captain Michael Clarke, Pattinson is far from a forgotten man and believes the right-armer will roar back into contention after a stint in Shield cricket.

"James is a wonderful talent and he's improved over the last six months since being around the team," said Clarke.

"I'm confident you'll see a lot of Patto ... I think you'll see him throughout the Australian summer," Clarke added. (ANI)