England Test team captain Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the upcoming second Test match of the West Indies tour of Australia 2022. Cummins is expected to return for the opening Test against South Africa in Brisbane later this month.
Pat Cummins Ruled Out of Test Series Against West Indies
Scott Boland will replace Pat Cummins who injured his right quad in the first innings of the opening Test in Perth and didn’t bowl in the second essay, leaving Australia one bowler short.
“Team medical staff commenced Cummins’ recovery in Adelaide but selectors deemed there was not sufficient time for the fast bowler to be fully fit for the match,” the team said in a statement.
Steve Smith Set To Captain Australia in 2nd Test vs WI
Cummins is expected to be fit for the first test against South Africa in Brisbane next week. Steve Smith, who was the skipper of the Test side before the infamous scandal against South Africa in 2018, will be leading the side in Cummins’ absence.
Steve Smith also captained Australia during the last summer’s Adelaide Test after Cummins had tested positive for Covid-19, and said he will lead the side in his own way.
“I don’t think he was too far away (from playing) and he will continue to build this week,” Smith said of Cummins.
“But with what’s coming up, a big series against South Africa and then Tests in India, there’s a lot of cricket.
“From a strategic point of view, to have the possibility of (Cummins) going down and putting the load through the other quicks having bowled some overs at the end of the Perth Test, it was a risky decision to continue going.
“I think we’ve made the right call and he’ll be fine to go for the next Test match I’m sure.”
“I have to do it my own way, I can’t be someone else. I am pretty chilled – I took over for the game here last year and thought it went pretty smoothly. So same again,” he said.
West Indies Cricket Team’s Injuries
The West Indies have their own injury worries, with top-order batsman Nkrumah Bonner suffering a concussion in Perth. It is unclear whether he will be fit to play this week.
Their pace attack is also struggling, with Kyle Mayers (shoulder strain) unable to bowl in the Perth second innings while Kemar Roach limped off with a hamstring niggle, and Jayden Seales has been battling knee pain.
Anderson Phillip is the first-choice back-up bowler, but the uncapped Marquino Mindley could also play after arriving in Adelaide from his homeland on Tuesday as cover.
“You’ve still got to stay positive,” West Indies assistant coach Roddy Estwick told reporters.
“We are playing the best team in the world, and we just want to grind and fight and stay in the fight as long as possible.”
The second Test match will be played on December 08 in Adelaide Oval, Adelaide.
Australia squad
Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Michael Neser, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner
West Indies squad
Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Shamarh Brooks, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Marquino Mindley, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Devon Thomas
