BRISBANE, Australia — Captain of the Australian cricket team, Pat Cummins, has indicated that he and his fellow pace bowler Mitchell Starc will need to step up their efforts due to the injury setback of Josh Hazlewood. The ongoing five-test series against India has seen pitches that have been particularly favorable for seam bowling, especially those encountered in Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane.
The third test concluded on Wednesday in Brisbane, concluding with a draw that was influenced by rain, leaving the series tied at 1-1. India claimed victory in the first test, winning by a significant margin of 295 runs in Perth, while Australia rebounded in the second day-night test in Adelaide, winning by 10 wickets.
Hazlewood, who was absent from the Adelaide test due to discomfort in his side, will be sidelined for the remainder of the series as he contends with a calf injury. Current statistics show that India’s Jasprit Bumrah is the top wicket-taker in the series with 21 wickets, while both Cummins and Starc have secured 14 wickets each.
In a statement given on Thursday, Cummins expressed optimism about both he and Starc participating in the upcoming tests, including the Boxing Day test beginning December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Sydney test starting January 3. “Nothing is guaranteed,” he noted. “We’ll assess how we feel. But as of today, we’re both in good shape, and I don’t see that changing. It was quite warm yesterday, yet physically we’re ready to continue.”
Cummins also mentioned that they had a significant break of about seven days without bowling after the Adelaide test, making them feel refreshed and prepared. He acknowledged that the rain delays during the Brisbane test offered them a chance to recuperate further.
Should Australia be unable to secure victories against India in Melbourne and Sydney, they will need to achieve at least one win on the turning pitches in Galle, Sri Lanka, the following month to maintain their title defense in the World Test Championship. It is anticipated that Hazlewood may return to training early in the new year and could be fit to travel for the two-test series in Sri Lanka.
Adding to the complexity, Cummins’ wife, Becky, is expected to give birth around the same time as the Sri Lanka series, casting doubt on his availability for one of the tests. The matches at Galle are slated to start on January 29 and February 6.