Cummins has not played a first-class game in two years but Lawson, NSW's bowling coach, has endorsed the move by national selectors to name the young gun as Ryan Harris's replacement in the Ashes squad.

Although Mitchell Johnson remains a force, Harris's retirement is likely to start the changing of the guard in Australia's pace battalion, resulting in next generation speedsters Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood featuring together for the first time on a Test tour.

Cummins is still in Australia so would not be considered for the Ashes opener, starting Wednesday in Cardiff, but is now firmly in the frame to belatedly add to the only Test he played, against South Africa.

The Penrith product was man of the match in a fairytale debut in Johannesburg but broke down with a foot injury, one of a number of ailments to have plagued him in his short career. He has played just two first-class games since.

Lawson was fiercely critical of the decision to play Cummins in 2011 but believes he is now better prepared for the demands of the five-day game.

"He was too young. He hadn't been toughened up by playing enough cricket, they just threw him in the deep end." Lawson said.

"They just tossed him in, they picked him too soon. He bowled OK, there was nothing wrong there but his body wasn't ready for it.

"Maybe his body is now I wouldn't worry about what's between the ears, he's a pretty switched-on guy. He's a very mature cricketer from that point of view, that's not an issue.

"He's a young man who has experienced a great deal. I think he's ready to play Test cricket."

The difference between Cummins then and now, according to Lawson, is the amount of cricket he has played, albeit in the limited-overs forms.

Whereas Cummins made his Test debut after just three first-class games and a Big Bash League campaign, he is now no stranger to international cricket, having worn the green and gold 26 times in the limited-overs formats.

Cummins was also part of Australia's triumphant World Cup squad and played competitively as recently as May in the Indian Premier League.

Ideally, Cummins would have played in Australia's Ashes warm-up games but "it's the modern way", Lawson said.

"They've just been waiting to pick him. He's been high on their agenda since he played his Test debut," Lawson said.

"He's much better prepared than four years ago. He still hasn't played much first-class cricket but he has played a lot of cricket and been in camps and squads.

"If he was playing for NSW we'd have no hesitation in picking him for a four-day game."