According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian skipper is set to miss the away T20I series against New Zealand as well as the ODI series against India in October. Despite undergoing recent scans, the results have not been encouraging, leaving serious doubts about his participation in both assignments.
Australia will first face New Zealand in a three-match T20I series before hosting India for three ODIs and five T20Is. However, Pat Cummins’ fitness remains uncertain, and there are concerns he may also be ruled out of New South Wales’ Sheffield Shield fixture.
Pat Cummins Set to Miss Sheffield Shield Clash for New South Wales
Pat Cummins is expected to sit out New South Wales’ upcoming Sheffield Shield fixture due to a back issue, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald. The report noted that depending on the extent of the problem, the Australian captain could also be sidelined from several white-ball matches leading up to the first Ashes Test in Perth this November. He has already been ruled out of the Twenty20 squad for the New Zealand tour, which will be announced on Tuesday.
“There may be some concern among Australia’s selectors and medical staff about Pat Cummins pulling up sore after a tour in which he bowled relatively few overs, particularly during the West Indies leg on a trio of lively pitches,” the report stated.
Australia’s T20I series against New Zealand is scheduled between 1–10 October, followed by the ODI series against India starting on 19 October. In Pat Cummins’ absence, Mitchell Marsh is expected to take over the captaincy, as he did during the South Africa series.
With the Ashes just around the corner, this development could be a major setback for Australia. Reports suggest that Cricket Australia and the selectors will avoid rushing Pat Cummins back, which raises the possibility of him missing the opening matches of the prestigious series.
