In order to attend to a “severe family ailment,” Australia skipper Pat Cummins took a flight home. But, he will return later this week in time to take part in the preparations for the third Test of the on-going Border-Gavaskar series in Indore.
Although improbable, Steve Smith will serve as captain in the event that Cummins is forced to skip a test, like he did in the previous two matches in Adelaide.
With their victory in the Delhi Test, India was able to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for a record-breaking fourth consecutive time, but Cummins, who played very little with the ball in the previous two spin-heavy matches, insisted that his team still had plenty to play for and that a drawn series was a major motivator. The following three-match ODI series, which is essential in the run-up to this year’s World Cup, will feature the 29-year-old as captain.
In the meantime, Cummins made hints regarding possible alterations to Australia’s lineup and roster for the Test in Indore. It is anticipated that Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc will be healthy. But there remains a doubt about the participation of David Warner, who suffered a concussion as well as a hairline fracture in his left elbow.
Todd Murphy, an outstanding off-spinner, also struggled with side pain during the second innings in Delhi, but there will surely be enough time between tests for him to recover. Legspinner Mitchell Swepson is also anticipated to return to the team after visiting his family to give birth.