Australia’s Test and ODI captain, Pat Cummins, is gearing up for his return to the cricketing arena, targeting the upcoming series in India as his comeback platform. A wrist injury sidelined Cummins, forcing him to miss the series in South Africa. Despite not being part of the T20I and ODI squads for the ongoing tour, Cummins is determined to make a resounding return on the cricket field and has set his sights on the series in India.
Cummins opens up about his comeback
Reflecting on the injury, Cummins shared his perspective on its initial impact and subsequent progression. “It hurt day one when I did it and it hurt a lot when I was batting, but I didn’t think it was too bad,” Cummins candidly recounted. “Then with each day, it got a little bit sorer, so I knew it was probably bone as opposed to a muscle (issue).”
With his recovery journey well underway, Cummins plans to join the Australian squad in South Africa for the second leg of the tour. He has also expressed optimism about his readiness for the forthcoming One-Day Internationals (ODIs) in preparation for the impending World Cup campaign.
“I’ll head over to South Africa at the back end of that leg. But we’re probably looking more at those one-dayers ahead of the World Cup. It shouldn’t be too bad. Another few weeks and it’ll be right,” Cummins affirmed, eager to reclaim his spot on the field.
Cummins speaks on Mitchell Marsh’s role in the Team
As Australia sets its gaze on the future, discussions surrounding leadership roles have arisen. The possibility of a new captain for the white-ball teams post the World Cup has been raised, hinting at Cummins focusing exclusively on Test cricket. The recent appointment of Mitchell Marsh as the T20I captain for the South Africa series positions him as a strong contender to also lead the 50-over side in Cummins’ absence.
Despite the evolving leadership dynamics, Cummins expressed his openness to the prospect while highlighting the team’s outlook. “I haven’t thought about it too much, to be honest,” Cummins revealed, speaking about the potential ODI captaincy transition. He emphasized the intention to prioritize the ongoing World Cup campaign before making any decisions.
“The good thing is we’ve got a few options. (Marsh) is probably the most obvious one if he’s doing the T20s as well,” Cummins shared, indicating that Marsh’s involvement across formats makes him a natural fit.
In discussing Marsh’s role and contributions, Cummins bestowed high praise upon the all-rounder’s impact. “He’s always been a huge member of the team, a real leader,” Cummins commended Marsh’s leadership qualities. The camaraderie Marsh brings to the team, both on and off the field, has made him a vital asset. “As a captain, that’s what you want, a guy that’s going out there, taking the game on, someone we can all get behind. Off the field, he’s just a great people-person. His energy’s infectious, he’s great to hang around with, always good fun,” Cummins lauded.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
