Pat Cummins, Australia’s Test and One-Day International skipper, is targeting the series in India for his comeback after missing the series in South Africa due to a wrist injury. Cummins was not picked to the T20I team and will not participate in the ODIs, despite travelling to South Africa for the second half of the tour.
“It hurt day one when I did it, and it hurt a lot when I was batting, but I didn’t think it was too bad,” Cummins said of his injury. “Then it got a little bit sorer with each day, so I knew it was probably bone as opposed to a muscle (issue).”
“At the tail end of that leg, I’ll head over to South Africa.” But, in the run-up to the World Cup, we’re likely to focus more on one-dayers. It shouldn’t be too difficult. In a few weeks, everything will be OK.”
There has been speculation that Australia may appoint a new captain to head the white-ball sides after the World Cup, with Cummins concentrating entirely on Tests. Mitchell Marsh was recently named T20I captain for the three-match series in South Africa, and the all-rounder will be a strong contender to lead the 50-over side in Cummins’ absence.
“I haven’t thought about it too much, to be honest,” Cummins said of the ODI captaincy after the World Cup. “We’ll play this World Cup and then evaluate it.” The good news is that we have several possibilities. (Marsh) is perhaps the most evident if he’s also playing in the T20s.”
Marsh received special praise from the pacer, who has just mounted a stunning return to the national team across formats, including a century in his comeback Test. “He’s always been a huge member of the team, a real leader,” said Cummins. “As a captain, you want someone who is going out there and taking on the game, someone we can all rally behind.” Off the field, he’s just a really nice guy. His exuberance is contagious, and he’s a lot of fun to be around.”
