Alan Davidson praises Pat Cummins as an all-round star

Alan Davidson, the hero of the historic tied Test against the West Indies in 1960, suggested paceman Pat Cummins had it in him to join an exclusive club that included the likes of Keith Miller, Richie Benaud, Shane Watson and himself - the Australian Test all-rounders.

Cummins returned from three years of injuries and frustration to star in Australia's Twenty20 team against South Africa. On Friday night in Melbourne he took 1-11 from his four overs to capitalise on his tremendous comeback effort in Wednesday's opening match in Adelaide.

While his express pace bowling has excited the likes of Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath and Dennis Lillee, Davidson said at a time when the selectors were searching for Shane Watson's heir apparent, the 21-year-old showed enough nous to suggest he could be of enormous value to Australian cricket as a bowler who wields the bat well.

"He has a great future," said 85-year-old Davidson after watching Cummins torment the South Africans at the MCG. "He's not just a bowler, he can bat well and is extremely good in the field.

"Pat Cummins, for me, is a real talent, and I think that [ability to bat well] will make a hell of a difference [for the Australian team] in the future."