Craig Cumming made an impressive Test debut against Australia in 2004-05, scoring a hard-fought 74, but it proved to be the high watermark of his international career. Chosen for the home series against Sri Lanka in 2004-05 and again in 2006-07, Cumming did not pass fifty again despite a number of healthy starts. New Zealand appreciated his ability to handle quality fast bowling and he was retained for the Test tour of South Africa in 2007-08, but his tour was cut short when he was hit by a Dale Steyn bouncer which resulted in a broken jaw fractured cheekbone and surgery. Originally included in New Zealand's second-string ODI squad for a tour of Pakistan in 2003-04, Cumming lost his limited-overs place the following season after failing to register a half-century in his first 12 matches.

He had some prolific domestic seasons. He scored 751 first-class runs at 46.93 for Otago in 2002-03 and in 2008-09, topped that by piling on 784 runs at nearly 60. He captained from 2002 to 2011 and moved into broadcasting once his playing career finished in 2012.

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