AUS vs WI: Concern Over Pat Cummins' Availability For 2nd Test In Adelaide

Growing worries exist that Australian skipper Pat Cummins would be forced to miss Thursday’s second Test match in Adelaide against the West Indies due to injury. Despite not bowling since suffering a quad injury on day three, Cummins continued to field on day five as Australia triumphed by 164 runs.  

The 29-year-old sustained an injury while bowling in the first innings and said to Fox Cricket after the match that he would wait to decide on Adelaide until he had recovered over the next three days. On Sunday, Pat Cummins appeared to have major movement limitations when he pursued the ball to stop a boundary after lunch. 

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Ian Smith Skeptical Pat Cummins Will Play In Second Match

In just four days, the second Test will begin, and Kiwi commentator Ian Smith is sceptical that Cummins will play. 

“I’m telling you, that is not the action of a guy who’s going to be bowling in Test cricket in four days’ time,” Smith said on Fox Cricket.  

“Why would he be on the field? I take your point about leading from the front and being part of the victory, but when it comes to his main job in the side, outside of that, is bowling. So he can’t do his main role in the field as such. He must’ve been guaranteed the fact that he can’t do any more damage while he’s out there. Otherwise there’s no point in being out there at all. I like the sentimental side of things, but…” 

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Pat Cummins Know What Damage He May Or Not May Have Done: Adam Gilchrist

As the ball sped towards the rope, Cummins appeared to give up on the pursuit before abruptly changing his mind and sprinting to defend the boundary.

“This is a concern. Such is the competitive nature of competitive sportsmen and women, it’s hard to stay away from a contest,” Adam Gilchrist said. 

“Who knows, and only Pat knows what damage he may or may not have done, but just wondering if he actually knows he’s going to be out longer than one Test.  

“And with that in mind, he wants to get out there. ‘I know I’m going to be on an extended break, I want to be out there. It’s not every day you get a chance to win a Test for your country.  

“It’s not every day you can captain your team to a Test win.” 

Isa Guha claimed that despite not bowling, Pat Cummins was still contributing because two wickets were needed to win. 

“I think also his presence on the field. When he returned yesterday that’s when Australia picked up some wickets,” she said.  

Scott Boland’s Name Suggested By Brendan Julian As a Possible Replacement For Pat Cummins

Ashes star Scott Boland was suggested to replace the paceman in Adelaide by commentator Brendan Julian after Cummins was seen grimacing while fielding at mid-wicket. 

“I don’t think he’s guaranteed to play in Adelaide,” Julian said. 

“Why risk him out there in the field then? If he’s not going to bowl, why risk him? If he’s a bit ginger, then I don’t understand why he’s got to be in the field then. I wouldn’t be risking it.” 

Former Test batter Mark Waugh responded: “It’s a bit strange.” 

I Have Got A Little Bit Of Tight Quad: Pat Cummins

However, Cummins claimed that if necessary, he could have continued bowling on day five. 

“I’m not going too bad, I’ve got a little bit of a tight quad,” Cummins said.  

“If (the game) got a bit tighter I was going to have a bowl but luckily it didn’t get too close. It feels fine, I’m just trying to be a little bit protective, obviously we have the Adelaide Test in four days so I’m hoping to be available for that, we’ll see how the next few days go.”

“I feel pretty strong and in good condition, so we’ll test it over the next few days.“

Also Read:Updated ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Points Table After Australia vs West Indies 1st Test

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