New Delhi:
Australia has decided to rest their premier seam bowler Pat Cummins for the upcoming three-match T20I series in India. The decision has been taken by the Australian think tank with a view to keeping the speed merchant fit for the upcoming the Ashes, Cricket Australia confirmed on Friday (September 22).
Even though the pacer is not currently battling an injury, the Australian selectors have decided to give Cummins some rest after the conclusion of the ongoing five-match ODI series, which the tourists trail 0-2.
The remaining three ODIs are due to be played in Indore (September 24), Bangalore (September 28) and Nagpur (October 1), after which the pacer will travel home to be fresh for the 2017-18 Sheffield Shield season, in the lead-up to the marquee tournament against England later in the year.
"Pat [Cummins] 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."
Australia's pace bowling stocks are running low with Josh Hazlewood and James Pattinson, in addition to Mitchell Starc, nursing injuries ahead of the new domestic season. Cummins, therefore, led the Australian attack on the two-Test tour of Bangladesh and in the ongoing ODI series in India.
