By 
Australia skipper Pat Cummins will miss the third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India as he will continue to remain at his home with his family.
Following the disappointing six-wicket loss against India in the second Test in Delhi, Cummins immediately flew to his home Sydney due to family health reasons.
It was expected that Cummins will return to India ahead of the third Test starting from March 1 in Indore. However, Cummins has now decided to stay with his family as his mother is seriously ill.
29-year-old Cummins has thanked Cricket Australia (CA) and all his team-mates for their constant support during such difficult times.
“I have decided against returning to India at this time as my mother is ill and in palliative care. I feel I am best being here with my family,” Cummins said.
“I appreciate the overwhelming support I have received from Cricket Australia and my team-mates. Thanks for your understanding.”
In the absence of Cummins, his deputy Steven Smith will lead the Australian side in the third Test. Since Cummins took over the captaincy of Australia, Smith has already led them twice in Test match cricket.
Meanwhile, left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc and all-rounder Cameron Green are now fit to play in the third Test in Indore after nearly missing the second Test due to their respective finger injuries.
Leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson will also return to India ahead of the third Test after flying home for the birth of his first child just before the start of the second Test in Delhi.
Throughout the series, Australia has paid the price of not being able to play their first choice XI with several of their players getting injured.
Pacer Josh Hazlewood and opener David Warner has already returned home due to their injuries, while left-arm spinner Ashton Agar was sent back home to play domestic cricket after not being picked for the first two Tests.
Australia has decided not to add any extra player in the squad as they feel they already have enough options.
Earlier, Cummins was named as the captain of the 16-man squad announced for the ODI series against India starting from March 17 in Mumbai. However, it remains to be seen whether he will be able to return to India to take part in the series or not.
Comments