Patrick James Cummins

Spotted as a potential star from a young age, Pat Cummins made his Test debut at the age of 18 but had to wait six years for his next appearance as injuries made his body unable to cope with the workload. The bowler who emerged in 2017, was a thorough pacer who became a standout player in the world and became Australia's Test captain in dramatic circumstances towards the end of 2021.

Cummins burst onto the scene with a sensational Test debut, taking a total of seven wickets in one match to set up a thrilling two-wicket series win over South Africa at the Wanderers. He made his debut for New South Wales in the 2010–11 season and was particularly impressive in his first Big Bash season. Touted as a future leader of Australia's pace attack, he was offered a central contract for 2011–12, becoming the youngest player to be signed since the current system was introduced in 1998.

Then came the injury. He suffered repeated stress fractures in his lower back and did not play another Test for six years until the 2017 tour of India. But all the pain and rehabilitation in those intervening years seemed worthwhile as his body hardened to the rigors of international cricket.

In the wake of Australia's ball-tampering scandal, he arguably became the country's shining light in a cricketing sense. He was absent from various winter tours in 2018 following controversy due to a back injury but was memorable in the home series loss against India and was later awarded the Test vice-captaincy against Sri Lanka. He became the world's No. 1 ranked Test bowler and claimed Australia's coveted Allan Border Medal as the 2018–19 Male Cricketer of the Year. He was superb during the 2019 Ashes in England and through another home series defeat against India in 2020–21, typified by relentlessness with the ball and tremendous stamina.

After being touted as a future captain, Tim Paine resigned shortly before the 2021-22 Ashes, leading to his rise to the position earlier than expected. However, it was almost a seamless change in terms of circumstances in a sign of the cricketer and leader Cummins. A few months later he retained the Ashes and won Pakistan on Australia's first tour of the country in 24 years.