Pat Cummins. (Photo Source: ICC/Twitter)
While announcing Australia’s squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup, chief selector George Bailey confirmed that skipper Pat Cummins has broken his wrist and will be missing cricket for at least six weeks. The former cricketer also added saying that the team management is not ready to risk him ahead of the marquee tournament, and thus the rest has been enforced on him.
Notably, during the final Ashes Test at The Oval, the 30-year-old mentioned missing the ODI series against India in order to stay fit for the World Cup. However, Bailey dismissed that and added saying that the cricketer will be available for selection during both South Africa and India series.
“Cummins has an undisplaced fracture of his left radius which requires six weeks of rehabilitation. We view a period of enforced rest for Pat as a positive ahead of this important World Cup campaign.
“There are still a number of games he could play before the World Cup which is more than enough for him to have a strong preparation,” Bailey said while addressing the press as quoted by India Today.
There is an enormous amount of skill and experience in the group: Bailey
Bailey also expressed his contentment with the squad that will travel to India for the ODI World Cup. The 40-year-old believes that the team has an enormous amount of skill and experience, which will come in handy in the cricketing extravaganza, which is slated to begin on October 5.
“This side has been extremely impressive for several years in limited-overs cricket. There is an enormous amount of skill and experience in the group, which you need in a World Cup,” Bailey mentioned.
Meanwhile, Australia will begin its World Cup campaign on October 8 against India in MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The travelling squad will be coming to India in September and will start preparing for the ODI series against India and then the World Cup. Other than playing a three-match series against India, the Pat Cummins-led side will also play a couple of warm-up games.