Pat Cummins bowled himself into contention for a place in Australia's squad for the 2015 Cricket World Cup by taking five wickets in two games against South Africa last week.
After missing out on a start in the first three games of Australia's 4-1 series triumph over the Proteas, the Mt Riverview native thrived in his first One Day International (ODI) appearance on home soil, contributing strongly in game four at the MCG by taking 2-61 off 10 overs and hitting the winning run.
He improved on that performance in game five at the SGC on Sunday by being Australia's top wicket-taker with 3-54 off nine overs.
The series win returned Australia to the number one world ranking in One Day cricket.
Cummins, 21, told Cricket Australia he felt a bit nervous before game four but was also "personally buzzing" to be playing ODIs for Australia again after two years of niggling injuries.
"Whenever there's a series win on the line, it's always a pretty special thing," Cummins said.
"Wins are what you play for, but series wins are really special.
"When I went and got my pads on [to prepare to bat] and sat on a chair I didn't move - I was just yelling at every ball, so I was very nervous.
"We were quite lucky, having Jimmy Faulkner [batting] at number eight.
"We've still got plenty of games to come before the World Cup to get a settled team and work out who's in the side and the best way to play.
"All signs are really good at the moment."
Feeling fit and fresh, Cummins spoke about his own form and personal goals, expressing a desire to become a key strike bowler for the Aussies when it counted the most - in the final overs of an opposing team's innings.
"Bowling towards the death is something I'd like to nail down," Cummins said.
"It's a time in the innings where the batsmen can get away from you or you can rein them in a little bit.
"The immediate goal is to try and get in that World Cup side."
