To take a much-needed rest for the upcoming Ashes in the summer, Australia pacer Pat Cummins will skip the T20I leg of the ongoing tour of India.
The 24-year-old, who has made a successful comeback to Test cricket after a spate of injuries since his debut, is not injured at the moment and is bowling at his best, but the Australian selectors have decided to send him home after the conclusion of the ongoing ODI series. The move will allow Cummins to freshen himself up for the Sheffield Shield before he plays the all-important Ashes.
“Pat has played a considerable amount of cricket this year after a long period away from the game due to injury,” national selector Trevor Hohns said in a statement.
“His body has handled the return to international cricket well, but we believe the best plan for him ahead of the Ashes Series is to return home to refresh, both mentally and physically, before he prepares for Sheffield Shield cricket,” he added.
Australia had taken a similar decision four years ago when former pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson was sent home midway through the seven-match ODI series in India to prepare for the Ashes, and the move had paid rich dividends as a hungry Johnson had destroyed England. The left-arm pacer had taken a staggering record-breaking 37 wickets in Australia’s 5-0 whitewash.
Australia will be hoping for a similar performance from Cummins who has looked threatening even on unfriendly subcontinental pitches. But before the series against England, the right-arm pacer will have a chance to test himself when he takes the field for New South Wales Blues in the Sheffield Shield season next month.
Meanwhile, Cummins’ replacement is expected to be named in the coming days. The world champions are currently trailing the five-match ODI series 2-0. The ODI series will conclude on October 1 before both the teams take on each other in three T20Is from October 7 to 13.