Cummins' UAE holiday set to end

Pat Cummins' "holiday" in the United Arab Emirates is set to end as the reigning Allan Border Medallist prepares for a final ODI tune-up ahead of the looming World Cup.

Australia’s ascendant 50-over side is to welcome back one of its most important pieces for its world title defence when Cummins makes his return for the back-end of the five-match series against Pakistan.

The paceman could make his comeback in Wednesday's third ODI in Abu Dhabi after taking a deserved breather for Australia's two eight-wicket victories in Sharjah.

"He's chomping at the bit to get back bowling, so I think his holiday here in Dubai is over," said Nathan Lyon.

The Aussies, who are missing first-choice quicks Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in the UAE due to injury, must make at least one change to their bowling attack after Jhye Richardson flew home with a shoulder injury.

Last summer’s KFC Big Bash leading wicket taker Kane Richardson and left-armer Jason Behrendorff, both of whom are yet to play in the ongoing series, are also in the mix.

"I think I'm back available, I’m going to have a bowl today," Cummins said on Tuesday. "It was nice to have a two-game break. Jhye is not around so we need another bowler in there."

Cummins has had the heaviest bowling workload among Australia's quicks since the start of the summer and has comfortably been the side's most effective bowler with 45 wickets at 19.75 across all formats.

He had initially been pencilled in to take a breather during Australia's ODI series in India.

But their hunger to topple the world's No.2 ranked side in three do-or-die games, coupled with a rare opportunity to afford him an extended period of rest following that campaign, meant those plans were put on hold.

"We spoke about having a bit of a break in India, but (we) just started winning all the games … just wanted to play as much (as possible)," Cummins explained.

"We came to an agreement that it was a good little chance to have almost two weeks totally off bowling, which you don't get too often.

"So now ready to go."

Australia haven't won two consecutive ODI series abroad in over two-and-a-half years, nor have they won six games on the trot since the 2015 World Cup.

Cummins played an important hand in the comeback series win in India with 14 scalps at 15.71 to finish as the five-game bout's leading bowler, but Australia's bowling attack has stood up in his absence.

On Sharjah pitches bereft of life or sideways movement, Nathan Coulter-Nile bowled with hostility in the opening game to grab a pair of wickets while Richardson was rewarded with two scalps in a terrific new-ball spell in the ensuing match before dislocating his shoulder.

While Pakistan’s 5-280 and 7-284 appeared imposing, neither total proved sufficient.

Australia are likely to pick four or five fast bowlers in their squad of 15 for the World Cup and Cummins suggested some difficult calls will have to be made.

"Over the last couple of years you always feel like we've got a big squad of fast bowlers … Starcy and Joshy are not here, but they'll be available for the World Cup," said Cummins.

"The guys over here - Kane Richardson bowled brilliantly in the Big Bash, Behrendorff looked like he's belonged when he played.

"Hopefully everyone gets a bit of a chance in these last few games.

"It feels like there's six or seven guys you could pick for that World Cup squad.

"Someone like Billy (Stanlake) has played a lot in the last couple of years and even AJ (Tye) is one of the best bowlers in the IPL."