Australian captain Pat Cummins has flown home to attend to some serious family illness. He has left the Australian camp after the disappointing loss in the second Test in Delhi.
Pat Cummins will be in Sydney for a couple of days to attend the serious family health concerns and is expected to come back for the preparation of the third test of the Border Gavaskar trophy in Indore, beginning on march 1st. Australia are 2-0 down in the series and already have lost the chance to regain the BGT trophy, But the upcoming two matches will be very crucial for their hope to play the WTC final in England.
Cummins was the sole pacer in the spin dominated Australian attack. He had a minimal role to play on these turning pitches. He barely bowled 13 overs in the first innings and got the important wicket of R Ashwin. He did not even bowl in the second innings as India completed their chase of 115 runs with ease.
Australian star pacer is unlikely to miss the Indore test & is expected to come back. But Vice captain Steve Smith will lead the side if required. Steve Smith has led the Australian side in the absence of Cummins on two occasions since the fast bowler took the test captaincy in late 2021.
Cummins missed the second test of the 2021-22 Ashes after he was forced to withdraw after being close covid contact. He also missed last year’s D/N test in Adelaide against the West Indies due to a quad injury.
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Injury trouble for Australia: Josh Hazelwood ruled Out
It seems no end of trouble in sight for the Australian team at the moment. The senior pacer Josh Hazelwood who was expected to come back in the side after missing out on the first two tests due to Achilles tendonitis, has been ruled out of the entire series. “Josh Hazlewood out; he’ll be going home,” McDonald said on Monday.
There remains doubt on the participation of David Warner, who suffered a concussion as well as an elbow fracture after being hit by Siraj’s bouncer. He was substituted by Matt Renshaw in the second innings.
Impressive debutant offspinner Todd Murfy also battled with a side strain during the second innings of the Delhi test, but will likely to available for the selection as there is enough gap between the second and third test for his recovery.
Likely changes in the playing eleven.
Cummins did forecast some changes in the playing eleven as Australia assess their options to fight back into the series. All-rounder Cameron Green will be available for selection after regaining full fitness, will walk straight into the team. As Australia look to strengthen their batting, Green’s inclusion will give them the perfect balance.
Star left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc will also be available for selection. And Leg spinner Mitchell Swepson is also expected to rejoin the squad after traveling home for the birth of his child.
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