What is Pat Cummins' batting record in Tests? Comparing his fourth innings performance to Australia's top batters

On Monday, the second Test between New Zealand and Australia in Christchurch came to an exciting conclusion, as the hosts were looking to bounce back after losing the first match by 175 runs.

Australia needed 202 runs to win on day four, with six wickets in hand. This quickly went to five as Tim Southee got rid of Travis Head. After a 140-run stand between Alex Carey and Mitchell Marsh, Ben Sears' double strike brought New Zealand back into the game. 

Australian captain Pat Cummins, batting at number nine, then gave Carey company as the visitors got over the line thanks to an unbeaten 61-run stand from just 63 balls. 

Comparing Pat Cummins' performance in fourth innings to Australia's top batters

Cummins finished on 32*, his twelfth-highest Test score. Often playing as a specialist bowler, his career average of 17 with the bat is not shabby, but has been a disservice to some of his much-improved performances in the last few years.

Cummins' average of 33.6 in the fourth innings of Test matches is better than nearly all of Australia's top-order batters. While this is boosted by him staying not out as he comes in down the order, he is still comparable to them in terms of runs per innings.

One of his best innings came against England during last year's Ashes, as he scored 44 not out, helping Australia chase down 281 in Birmingham. In fact, Cummins has hit the winning shot in each of Australia's last three successful chases of 250 or more; against New Zealand here, England in Birmingham and South Africa in Johannesburg, in 2011.

What is Pat Cummins' batting record in Tests?

Whatever the reason for the Australian captain's exceptional fourth-innings performances, it is a handy weapon for Australia to have, both in a cricketing and in a motivational sense.