According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, Australian captain Pat Cummins played the fifth Test of the recent Ashes series with a fractured left wrist. Cummins struggled in the game, taking one wicket each in both innings as the visitors lost to England by 49 runs. Despite retaining the Ashes, the loss meant that the Australian team had yet to win a Test series in England since 2001. After a stellar start to the English summer with an impressive spell against India in the WTC final, Cummins suffered a slump in the final two matches. First three Tests against England.
He took only three wickets at a dismal average of 91.33 and an economy rate of over five runs per over. Nevertheless, Pat Cummins took 18 wickets in five Tests including a four-wicket haul and one five-wicket haul. Australia has yet to reveal the seriousness of the injury, but people close to the matter have not ruled out a possible fracture. The veteran fast bowler’s wrist was heavily bandaged after the opening day of the fifth test and looked uncomfortable while batting. After the conclusion of the final Test,
Pat Cummins said:
“I landed on my wrist on day one in the field going for a run-out. It’s pretty sore. We’ll get it assessed over the next few days and work out if anything needs to happen.”
The flamboyant fast bowler played in all six Tests of the English summer and is likely to be rested for at least the early part of Australia’s upcoming white-ball series in South Africa.
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Mitchell Marsh Likely To Captain Australia In The White-Ball Series Against South Africa And India
Australians may announce the team for the upcoming ODI series in South Africa and India by Monday, August 7, 2023. With his retirement, Mitchell Marsh is likely to be named the captain of the T20 team for the time being. Aron Finch earlier this year. The all-rounder could also lead the ODI squad if Pat Cummins is unavailable due to injury. After a stellar Ashes series, the 31-year-old will be looking to continue his white ball form for Australia.
Mitchell Marsh was in tremendous form in the three ODI series in India earlier this year, scoring 194 runs with a strike rate of 131.08. Leg spinner Tanvir Sangha and all-rounder Aron Hardie are also likely to be included in the ODI team ahead of the ICC ODI World Cup in October. Australia will play three T20Is and five ODIs in South Africa, from August 30 before a three-match ODI series in India before the 50-over showpiece event.
They will begin their World Cup campaign with a thrilling encounter against hosts India on October 8, 2023 in Chennai.
