The master batsman has had a superb week and it got even better yesterday. He guided Otago to a 111-run win against Northern Districts in a one-day game at the University Oval with a majestic innings of 123.
His innings enabled Otago to reach 295 for six. However, he did not play a lone hand. Black Caps all-rounder Nathan McCullum shared the limelight, combining with Cumming in an Otago-record fifth-wicket partnership of 143. McCullum also nabbed three wickets and seamer Ian Butler took a career-best five for 33 as Northern Districts folded to be all out for 184.
But the day belonged to Cumming. Earlier in the week, he grabbed the headlines when he overtook Bert Sutcliffe as Otago's leading run-scorer in first-class cricket.
Surprisingly, it was only Cumming's fourth one-day hundred and he raised the milestone with an imperious lofted drive that sailed over the long-off boundary for six.
Such a beautiful shot to cap a wonderful innings, which featured some immaculate timing, delightful straight drives, six sixes and six fours.
He was at his brilliant best and you would not have known he went into the match under an injury cloud after hurting his back on Tuesday.
The partnership with McCullum passed the previous mark of 130 set by Marcel McKenzie and Peter McGlashan against Northern Districts in 2002-03.
"I'm very pleased with the team as a whole," Otago coach Vaughn Johnson said.
"Craig played very well and Butler bowled very well but, in terms of the team, everybody did their jobs and I thought it was a pretty complete performance.""
Craig's innings was really important but I was very pleased for Ian. I've been at him a little bit over the last couple of weeks to up his game and he did that today."
Northern Districts had the better of the opening exchanges. Aaron Redmond got a leading edge on four when he tried to work a delivery from Brent Arnel into the leg side.
The in-form Michael Bracewell got Otago's run rate heading in the right direction when he dispatched Anton Devcich's first delivery over extra cover for four.
The left-arm spinner trudged back to his mark and later got his revenge when Neil Broom squandered a promising start with a faint edge through to the wicketkeeper.
Sam Wells got perhaps was the worst delivery of the the match and swatted it straight to Jimmy Baker positioned at a short fine leg. James Marshall could barely believe his luck while the slumped figure of Wells walked off dragging his feet.
At 107 for four, Otago needed a good partnership. Cumming was well set at the crease on 20 and McCullum worked his way into his innings, gapping the ball and feeding the strike to Cumming. The pair played risk-free cricket for a period, accumulating four or five runs each over without too much trouble.
Marshall was getting through his overs quickly but was also getting picked off too easily. Otago was winning the battle.
Cumming had a lucky escape on 42. He was caught ball watching and had to scamper to make his ground when he found himself alongside his batting partner.
The throw had more gas than the 36-year-old right-hander and Devcich gathered the ball neatly but missed with an underarm lob.
It was the turning point for the partnership and for Otago. Arnel suffered a minor meltdown when he started his second spell with three consecutive wides and some of the sting went out of Northern's bowling effort.
Bradley Scott cost his side five wides when a stray delivery beat the keeper. A stiff westerly made bowling conditions pretty difficult but it was a flat display all the same.
Having helped their side get into a strong position, Cumming and McCullum shifted gear. The pair added 45 runs during the batting power play and 96 runs in an 11-over assault.
McCullum was eventually undone looking to whack the ball over the midwicket boundary but was bowled by Devcich, and Cumming was run out in the last over trying to turn a single into a second run, but not making it.
Northern Districts' reply got off to the worst possible start with Brad Wilson run out first ball, and Redmond's stunning catch to dismiss Hamish Marshall was another sign it was not going to be Northern's day.
James Marshall led the fight-back with 72 and combined with Peter McGlashan in a 79-run stand for the fourth wicket. Scott got his former team-mates away for a a few decent blows in a hard-hit innings of 26.
