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Pat Cummins will be out of action for six weeks due to a wrist fracture but should play some part in the ODI series against South Africa.
The Australian captain Pat Cummins is set to be sidelined for at least six weeks after he suffered a wrist fracture in the final Ashes Test. However, he is expected to be fully fit in time for the ODI World Cup in October. Cummins could also play some of the ODIs in South Africa and India ahead of the marquee tournament.
Cummins sustained the injury to his left wrist while diving in the field on the first day of the final Ashes Test at The Oval. He will require a lengthy recovery and will be unavailable for the three-match T20I series in South Africa that starts on August 30. Cummins, who has only captained Australia in two ODIs since being named captain last year, could be available for the five-match ODI series that begins on September 7.
George Bailey, Australia’s Chair of selectors looks at the situation from a positive view, given Cummins needed a time-off after his workload during the Ashes. Bailey believes there are enough matches for him to prepare for the World Cup, with their first match on October 8.
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“He has an undisplaced fracture of his left radius which requires six weeks rehabilitation. We expect him to join the squad during the South African ODI series. We view a period of enforced rest for Pat as a positive ahead of this important World Cup campaign. There are still a number of games he could play before the World Cup which is more than enough for him to have a strong preparation,” said George Bailey, Chair of selectors.
Cummins will fly to South Africa before the ODI series kicks off in Bloemfontein but is unlikely to be available for the first match.
Australia have made a major change to their ODI squad, leaving out Marnus Labuschagne for the upcoming tours and the World Cup. He featured in Australia’s last nine ODIs and 30 in total but hasn’t made a mark.
Western Australia all-rounder Aaron Hardie and New South Wales leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha were included in the 18-member squad. Sangha was a part of Australia’s T20 squad previously on the New Zealand tour while Hardie has featured in Australia A squads regularly in the last 18 months. He has also been selected in the T20I squad versus South Africa.
In the absence of Cummins, Australia will look at Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey and Travis Head as potential captaincy options. Steven Smith captained the side in the previous ODI series against India in March, when Cummins had flown home due to the death of his mother.
Marsh has been appointed as the T20I captain for the series against South Africa. David Warner, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Cameron Green and Ashton Agar will miss the T20I leg before joining for the ODIs.
Glenn Maxwell will be there for T20Is but will miss the ODI series due to paternity leave. He will rejoin the squad for three ODIs against India in India ahead of the 50-over World Cup.
Australia ODI squad: Pat Cummins (capt), Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Travis Head, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Tanveer Sangha, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa
Australia T20 squad vs South Africa: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steven Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
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