Mohali. The ODI series between India and Australia is starting from Friday. This is also the last ODI series for both the teams before the World Cup. Australian captain Pat Cummins has fully recovered from his wrist injury. Cummins is expected to play in all three ODIs against India. But he said that his new ball partner Mitchell Starc will not be able to play in the first match on Friday.
Australia captain Pat Cummins also expressed hope that Marnus Labuschagne will continue his good form in the series against India and strengthen his claim for a place in the final 15 players of the World Cup squad. “We’ve got a lot of guys who are at different stages (of injury),” Cummins, who is recovering from a fractured left wrist, said at Thursday’s pre-match press conference. I feel quite well. My wrist is fine now. I am 100 percent fit. I hope to play all three matches.
“(Mitchell) Starc is not available in terms of the long list (of injured players),” Cummins said. We will give everyone plenty of opportunities to play matches but also keep the World Cup in mind. Cummins said Steve Smith, who practiced Wednesday evening, has also recovered from a wrist injury.
Labuschagne recently came on as a concussion substitute against South Africa after the ball hit all-rounder Cameron Green on the head. ‘The name ‘Marnus’ is always in my head, 24 hours a day,” Cummins said with a laugh.
He said, ‘It’s amazing. He was our best batsman in South Africa. Not only from a batting point of view but also his attitude in South Africa was superb. I am sure he will get a chance in all three matches and will push for his place.
Cummins also hinted that Adam Zampa could be used in the death overs against India. Zampa proved too expensive in South Africa. He said, ‘If you pick your top four bowlers, they should be ready to bowl at any stage.’
He said, ‘Jampa is not only good at reducing the run rate but can also take some wickets in the death overs. So I wouldn’t be surprised if we save two, three or four overs for him.
“We want to prepare those combinations but don’t want to get tired before playing the first match,” Cummins said. We will try to try different combinations and give some different players a chance. Mitchell Marsh’s captaincy has impressed the regular captain and the all-rounder will lead the team if he is rested.
Cummins is happy that all-rounder Marsh, Marcus Stoinis and Green will strengthen Australia’s batting line-up. He said, ‘The more all-rounders you have, the stronger your batting can be. This gives you the option of choosing four specialist bowlers or choosing three bowlers and one batting all-rounder.
Cummins said, ‘We hope Maxi (Glenn Maxwell) will come later in the series but the other three players (Green, Stoinis and Marsh) are bowling well. That is why I am feeling confident. Maxwell and Ashton Agar are not here yet. All three are expected to join the team during the series.
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Tags: India vs Australia, Pat Cummins, Team India
First published: September 21, 2023, 22:44 IST