According to the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) story, Australian skipper Pat Cummins completed the fifth Test during the recently finished Ashes series despite having a fractured left wrist. The 30-year-old struggled throughout the match, taking one wicket in each of England’s two innings as the visitors lost by 49 runs.
The loss meant that, while keeping the Ashes, Australia hasn’t won the Test series in England after 2001. After a dominant opening to the English season versus India during the WTC final as well as the first three Tests versus England, Cummins tailed considerably in the two remaining matches.
With an economy rate of slightly more than five runs per over, he only managed to take out three opponents for a pitiful average of 91.33. Despite this, Pat Cummins finished the five Test matches with 18 wickets, including a four- and a five-wicket haul.
The severity of the injury has not yet been disclosed by Cricket Australia, but sources close to the situation say that a fracture is still a possibility. After the first day of play in the fifth Test, the legendary pacer’s wrist was extensively wrapped, and he appeared uncomfortable while batting. Cummins talked about the severity of the injury after the final Test. He 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.”
Who will lead the Australian side ahead of Pat Cummins?
As early as Monday, August 7, Cricket Australia may also announce the teams for the forthcoming white-ball matches in South Africa along with India. Since Aaron Finch retired earlier this year, Mitchell Marsh is expected to be appointed the T20 team’s current captain.
If Cummins is out due to injury, the all-rounder might take over as captain of the ODI team. The 31-year-old will aim to maintain his exceptional white-ball form with Australia after a brilliant Ashes season. Marsh was in excellent form during the three ODI matches earlier this year in India, scoring 194 runs with a strike rate of 131.08 and an average of 97.
Fans react to Pat Cummins being ruled out of India series due to wrist injury:
Pat Cummins could miss the 3 match ODI series against India next month due to a wrist injury. pic.twitter.com/n1ApOg2rPg
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 5, 2023
Smudge is ready pic.twitter.com/NtdKUVWrLb
— Lubana Warriors (@LovepreetS49) August 5, 2023
And he will come back strong against India in WC 2023
— Sam wilson (@samwil157) August 5, 2023
haan or 1st match mein mcgrath bnn ke khelga against india world cup mein .
— Flame boy ? (@Rajmeet45619594) August 5, 2023
It's ok, he will be there? pic.twitter.com/XlsH2EmcoZ
— Afrida?? (@AfridaHossain_) August 5, 2023
They will not play starc too..they will play out of form players and mostly their core batting group will Play..good ploy.
— Rajdeep Ghosh (@rajdeep_ghosh) August 5, 2023
He's missing the SA series as well. Mitch marsh would be the new captain..
— Deepak ? (@DE_WA05) August 5, 2023
We shouldn't experiment in that series. We should play our full strength team.
— Naman Thakur (@NaMAn01724075) August 5, 2023
Smith would be scoring 0,0,7 but somehow do some changes in bowling to win the series.
— pANDA (@skmtutu) August 5, 2023
steve smith again captaining, what a contest
— rishiism (@rishiism_) August 5, 2023
