India vs Australia 2017: Australia Star To Skip T20I Series

Australia fast-bowler Pat Cummins will miss the T20I leg of the ongoing tour in India in order to prepare for the Ashes, scheduled to start from November 23. The injury-prone pacer, who has done well since making a comeback to Test cricket earlier this year, is completely fit and has looked razor-sharp in the ongoing ODI series against India but the Australian selectors have decided to send him home following the conclusion of the series to give him some time to recover for the series against England.

Trevor Hohns, Australia’s national selector, confirmed the news and said that the decision has been taken in the best interest of the bowler who will also play in the Sheffield Shield before facing England.

“Pat has played a considerable amount of cricket this year after a long period away from the game due to injury,” Hohns said in a statement.

“His body has handled the return to international cricket well, but we believe the best plan for him ahead of the Ashes Series is to return home to refresh, both mentally and physically, before he prepares for Sheffield Shield cricket,” he added.

Four years ago, Australia had taken a similar decision when they had not included their former fast-bowler Mitchell Johnson in the squad for the tour to India and the move had paid off nicely. The left-arm pacer had destroyed England, taking a record-breaking 37 wickets as the Michael Clarke-led side inflicted a humiliating 5-0 whitewash on Alastair Cook & Co.

With the likes of Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc short on match-practise due to recent injuries, Australia will be hoping that Cummins delivers as per expectations in the upcoming series. The right-arm pacer has looked threatening even on unfriendly subcontinental pitches, regularly clocking 150 km per hour and is likely to cause all sorts of troubles for Joe Root & Co. But before testing the England batsmen, Cummins will be plying his trade for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield season starting next month.

Meanwhile, Australia have not named Cummins’ replacement and are likely to announce the name soon. The Steve Smith-led  side is currently trailing the five-match ODI series 2-0 against India. The ODI series will end on October 1 before the teams play three T20Is from October 7 to 13.