Andrew McDonald Provides Massive Update On Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood Availability For West Indies And New Zealand T20Is
Published - 20 Jan 2024, 02:42 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:25 AM
Australia’s head coach, Andrew McDonald, said that Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood would play in both the T20I series against the West Indies and New Zealand. Andrew McDonald said that they would field a full-strength team for the upcoming series.
Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc have participated in four Test matches this summer. Notably, none of the bowlers bowled more than 38 overs in a game, with Cummins is the sole player who has bowled 20 overs in an innings more than once.
The pace bowling trio has been rested for the ODI series against the West Indies. Initially, there was an expectation that they might also be rested from one of the two upcoming T20I series. The selectors are set to convene on Monday to determine the final squads.
We’ve Got Six Games Before The World Cup – Andrew McDonald
Andrew McDonald indicated the possibility of different squads for both the T20I series against the West Indies and New Zealand. McDonald highlighted the strategic planning for the upcoming World Cup, with just six games before the tournament.
“We’ll give some thought to that. There’ll be some that may play, and there’ll be some that might not play. It’ll be different squads [for each series]. We’ll look to potentially be at full strength for the New Zealand series,” McDonald said.
“We’ve got six games before the World Cup. A lot of the World Cup planning is in place at the moment. We’ll try to be as close to full strength for the New Zealand series as possible. The West Indies series is slightly nuanced,” he added.
The second and final Test against the West Indies will be played at The Gabba in Brisbane, starting on January 25. Following the Test series, Australia will play three ODIs and as many T20Is. The Men in Yellow will then tour for the New Zealand multi-format series.
Josh Hazlewood Set To Play Both Series Against West Indies And New Zealand
Australia’s selectors are cautious about the workload of Cummins and Starc, who are set to participate in the IPL 2024. The two pacers might be rested from the West Indies series. Hazlewood, unsold in the IPL auction, is expected to feature in all six T20I matches.
Cummins, Hazlewood, and Starc were strategically rested from Australia’s eight T20Is in the last year to prioritize their fitness for Test commitments and the ODI World Cup. Australia clinched both the World Test Championship (WTC) final and the World Cup in 2023.
Mitchell Starc made IPL history with a record-breaking Rs 24.75 crore deal with the Kolkata Knight Riders, becoming the costliest player ever. Starc is set to lead Kolkata’s bowling attack in the upcoming season. Pat Cummins was acquired by SunRisers Hyderabad for a whopping Rs 20.50 crore.
