Former Australia captain, Steve Waugh feels that teen pace sensation Pat Cummins, who is likely to miss the home Test series against India due to a heel injury, would have tested the likes of veterans Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. “He (Cummins) would have unsettled those guys and with he and (James) Pattinson together that would have been a real test for the 35-pluses in the Indian side, who have been playing in pretty flat decks and against not really quick attacks,” Waugh said.

Waugh, however, was critical of the way the rookie pacers were handled by Cricket Australia, saying it was 'ridiculous' to promote the youngsters' to the rigours of Test cricket without letting their bodies get 'match-hardened'. “It's pretty ridiculous that you've got young blokes who are talented and take the next step but haven't had enough overs under their belt,” he was quoted as saying by The Sydney Morning Herald.

“Maybe they are not match-hardened enough for that next level,” he pointed out. Waugh, however, maintained that it would have been worth to witness the duel between the Indian veterans and young Australian fast bowlers. “It would have been great for the crowds to see that. India will be very pleased not to see Pat Cummins in the side,” he insisted. The 18-year-old fast bowler was ruled out of the second Test against South Africa and the subsequent home series against New Zealand after he suffered a heel injury while playing in his debut match in Johannesburg last month.