Intro:

Fast bowler Pat Cummins says that he's ready for the demands of Australia's upcoming Ashes Test series in England, even though he hasn't played a first-class match in two years or a Test since his debut four years ago.

Script:

SOUNDBITE: (English) Pat Cummins, Australian fast bowler and Ashes replacement (on missing so much first-class cricket because of injury):

"Yeah, I think over the last 18 months, I have been able to play lots and of 'white-ball' (one-dayers). So, there hasn't been any, I guess, long-form games but I have played quite a few games. So, I do feel like the step-up isn't quite as big as it may have been a year or so ago. I certainly feel ready for that step. Over in India, I was going to play a couple of first-class games so, hopefully, I can do that in England.

"I guess it's always been in the plan to get myself ready in case I am a reserve, or even get ready for the Aussie 'A' (team). I've been bowling lots and lots of overs here, and everything's been going fine so, hopefully, I can get over there and there's a tour match after the second Test. So, I'd love to get an opportunity in that and get used to bowling, hopefully, two or three days in a row.

"Well, yeah, I think....it has been a while. I've played some grade cricket. I tried to fit that in between a couple of white-ball games I have played - just to try to get used to bowling 15 to 20 overs in a day. I think the red ball, hopefully, swings a bit more and those kind of things. Here (Brisbane), I have been trying to remember and learn how to swing the ball consistently. That's probably the biggest difference - along with the rigours of bowling a lot more."