AUS Vs WI: Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood And Mithcell Starc To Be Ruled Out Of Series? Huge Update On Pacer Trio's Future

Australia’s fast bowling trio of captain Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc are all set to continue terrorizing opposition batting line-ups in test cricket in all of their upcoming series in 2024. All 3 of them were a crucial part of the Aussie team that whitewashed Pakistan by 3-0 in a home Benaud-Qadir Trophy series.

The Baggy Greens’ head coach Andrew McDonald confirmed this development during a recent interview right after the Test series concluded at the Sydney Cricket Ground. McDonald claimed that there were emergency reinforcements in place for either Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, or Mitchell Starc who had an extremely packed schedule last year and are going to have another in 2024.

Aussie pacers Lance Morris and Scott Boland were ready to come in as replacements for them in case of an injury threat and also to manage their workload. The Australian management had anticipated that Cummins, Hazlewood, and Starc might have some troubles in their muscles after playing so many matches in 2023 but they were left shocked after seeing their endurance levels.

As a result, Morris and Boland were given the green light to take part in the ongoing Big Bash League 2023/24. Pat Cummins along with Hazlewood and Starc started 2023 with an away Border-Gavaskar trophy followed by the WTC finale triumph in June.

After the WTC final, Australia remained in England for the 5-match Ashes series before heading back home and flying to India once again for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The trio were together as Australia defeated India in the CWC final and they played 10 out of 11 matches together as a unit.

Andrew McDonald further claimed that they will feature in the upcoming 2-match test series against West Indies at home. “They have got a little bit of a gap to the West Indies test match. I could see pretty much an unchanged bowling line-up for Adelaide. It is probably something we have noticed, they have probably got better across the Pakistan series.” – McDonald said. 

McDonald Hails Starc For His Pace While Pat Cummins Credits Australia’s Medical Staff

Head Coach Andre McDonald felt that Mitchell Starc who was sold for INR 24.75 Crores in the IPL auction, had a slight increase in his pace during the Pakistan series and stated that it is a good sign for the things to come. Captain Pat Cummins on the other hand credited Australia’s medical staff for doing a wonderful job in keeping them injury-free despite a heavy schedule.

“By the end of the WC, bowlers are always carrying a few niggles, I felt a little sore and beaten up but after a week’s off, I was surprised with how I turned up in Perth. After how much cricket we have played to not really have any injuries for our first XI is a credit to the guys but also to the medical staff and coaches and how they have managed us over the last year or two.” – Pat Cummins said.

Meanwhile, Australia welcomes West Indies for the 1st test on 17th January while the 2nd test takes place on 25th January.