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Australia captain Pat Cummins will remain in Sydney and miss the third Test against India to be with his seriously ill mother.
Cummins flew home to Australia on Sunday night, immediately after the team’s second Test defeat to India in Delhi, to be around his family.
The 29-year-old on Thursday night informed coach Andrew McDonald of his decision to remain in Australia, with the rest of the squad told at training on Friday morning.
“I have decided against returning to India at this time as my mother is ill and in palliative care. I feel I am best being here with my family,” Cummins said.
“I appreciate the overwhelming support I have received from Cricket Australia and my teammates. Thanks for your understanding.”
Cummins intends to be available for the fourth and final Test in Ahmedabad, but it is possible he will sit out the rest of the series.
The star fast bowler was expected to return to India on Friday ahead of the third Test in Indore, starting on March 1.
However, Cummins’ family situation will prevent him from making the trip back, with Steve Smith to fill in as skipper.
It will be the third time Smith has stepped in as Test captain since Cummins became skipper in November 2021.
Cummins has been forced to sit out the two most recent pink-ball matches in Adelaide against England and the West Indies due to COVID-19 and injury.
Smith left the Australian camp in Delhi for a brief break to Dubai with wife Dani and arrived back in the Indian capital on Thursday night.
Pat Cummins of Australia chases a ball to the boundary. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Cummins’ absence is another blow for Australia’s hopes of winning at least one Test in this series to book their spot in the World Test Championship final.
Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood (achilles) and veteran opener David Warner (elbow) have been sent home due to injury, while bowling all-rounder Ashton Agar struggled with form and consistency during the tour and returned to Western Australia to play Sheffield Shield.
All-rounder Cameron Green is set to play his first Test of the series in Indore after overcoming a broken finger suffered at the MCG in December.
Green will likely come in for Matt Renshaw and bat at No.6, with Travis Head to remain as opener in place of Warner after a blazing cameo during the second innings in Delhi.
Star quick Mitchell Starc will almost certainly fill the void left by Cummins after the 33-year-old missed the first two Tests against India due to a broken finger.
Victorian paceman Scott Boland could also get a recall after dropping out of the XI following his appearance in the series opener in Nagpur.
Australia opted to play three spinners – Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy and Matt Kuhnemann – and pick Cummins as their only recognised quick in Delhi.
Cummins’ absence could mean they stick with three spinners and use Starc and Green as their only seamers with fast bowlers only being used sparingly by both teams in the first two Tests.
© AAP
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