Pat Cummins, captain of the Australian team, has gone home to care for his ill mother and will therefore miss the third Test match against India. His teammate Steve Smith will serve as skipper for the Indore Test, which begins on March 1.
Australia’s captain Pat Cummins has disclosed that he won’t return to India anytime soon because his mother is terminally sick. With my loved ones by my side, I feel most at peace.
According to a statement released by Cricket Australia, Pat Cummins was very appreciative of the team’s and the Cricket Board’s mutual support. He thanked everyone for understanding. Meanwhile, Steve Smith has rejoined the Australian team in Delhi after spending four days in Dubai with his wife Dani following the second Test match.
This will be Smith’s third time leading the Australian Test team since he was appointed vice-captain in 2021. In the absence of Cummins, Smith captained the squad for two tests, both of which were played in Adelaide.
Between 2014 and 2018, Smith captained the Australian Test team in 34 Test matches, the most recent of which was played in India in 2017, during which Smith scored three centuries.
Australia has been struck with a double injury blow before the third test, as fast bowler Josh Hazlewood and opener batsman David Warner has been ruled out for the remaining two Test matches. It has been determined that Hazlewood’s Achilles injury compels him to return to Australia. In contrast, Warner’s arm injury and concussion will force him to sit out India’s remaining two Test matches. The left-arm spinner Ashton Agar, an initial squad member, will also depart for Australia.
Australia, however, will benefit from the return of Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc to the team. With Green rejoining the squad, Australia would have a second seam bowling choice and could start with all three spinners if desired. While Mitchell Starc recovers from a finger injury, he is also anticipated to be ready to play and could step in as a replacement for Cummins.