AUS vs WI: Pat Cummins ruled out, Steve Smith to lead Australia in second Test
Steve Smith is set to lead Australia in the second Test against the West Indies after the team management decided not to risk the injured Pat Cummins for the Adelaide Test. Victoria’s Scott Boland will replace the sidelined Australian skipper in the playing eleven for the pink-ball Test.
Pat Cummins sustained a quadricep injury during the series opener in Perth and did not bowl in the second innings of the 164-run victory against the Windies. Although he was in contention to return for the second Test, the team has decided not to risk the 29-year-old’s quad strain. Cummins is likely to return for the first Test against South Africa at the Gabba next week.
Cummins’ misfortune means that Scott Boland will return to the Australian starting eleven for the first time since his whirlwind output in the Ashes. He returned with 18 wickets in just three outings and will be hoping for a similar outing against the Windies. 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.
If I’ve ever got a question, they’ve been happy to answer it: Scott Boland
The right-arm quick from Melbourne is enjoying his time with the national team as he gets to spend more time in close quarters with the famed pace bowling trio of Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc. He praised the senior pacers for helping him out during his time with the Australian Test team.
“Being able to spend so much time with guys like Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc – once you become a bit closer mates with them, I feel like I’m a bit more to open asking them questions at training and stuff like that. They’ve been great for me, they’ve been pretty much an open book. If I’ve ever got a question, they’ve been happy to answer it. It’s nice to be able to train alongside those guys who are obviously the best in the world,” Boland told cricket.com.au’s Unplayable Podcast.
