Cricket fans watched in dismay as Pat Cummins, the dynamic Australian ODI captain, sustained a wrist fracture during the final Ashes Test at The Oval. An unexpected turn, it occurred on the very first day. However, the depth of the injury only surfaced post-match. Cummins now dons a cast on his left wrist. Expected recovery time? Approximately six weeks.
Doing the math, this means recovery by mid-September. Coincidentally, Australia’s tour to South Africa falls within this timeline, stretching from September 7 to 17. Nevertheless, Cummins eyes the subsequent ODI series against India as his comeback platform. This series, crucially, precedes the World Cup.
Cummins expressed optimism, stating, “It’s not too bad.” He plans to join the team during the latter part of the South Africa leg. “Another few weeks and I’ll be right,” he reassured fans. Recounting the injury, he mentioned the intensifying pain each day. He soon realized the injury probably affected the bone, not the muscle.
Cummins, named ODI captain after Aaron Finch, had limited captaincy outings. He led in just two of six games since taking charge. Notably, Steven Smith replaced him during India matches due to a personal tragedy in Cummins’ life.
In an announcement concerning a partnership between Cricket Australia and HCLTech, Cummins acknowledged Mitchell Marsh, the new T20I captain. Marsh seems the logical choice to lead ODIs in South Africa in Cummins’ absence. However, Cummins hinted at a potential rotation, given player workloads with the World Cup looming.
On captaincy, Cummins commented, “We’ll get over there, have a look at that.” While emphasizing multiple options, he spotlighted Marsh. “Wouldn’t be surprised… if some guys might miss a game,” he said, highlighting possible role rotations.
Pat Cummins’ Road to Recovery: Setting Sights on the ODI Series Against India
Cummins holds Marsh in high esteem. He labelled him “a real leader”, believing Marsh perfectly fits the T20I team profile. Currently, Marsh’s appointment spans only three matches in South Africa. Yet, he emerges as a favourite for long-term captaincy, especially with the T20 World Cup on the horizon. He also stands as a strong contender for the ODI leadership. This is especially pertinent, as Cummins’ tenure is expected to conclude after the upcoming World Cup in India.
Cummins praised Marsh extensively. “He’s always been a huge member of the team,” he remarked. Marsh’s resilience, especially following surgery warnings of potentially never bowling again, deeply impressed Cummins. Marsh’s Headingley century, after such challenges, became even more poignant. “We were just all so happy for him,” Cummins added.
YOU MAY ALSO READ: Ben Stokes Makes A Swift U-Turn On Playing In The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023
Furthermore, Cummins emphasized Marsh’s off-the-field contributions. Describing him as a “great people person”, he mentioned Marsh’s infectious energy. “His energy is infectious,” Cummins stated. Marsh, with his innate ability to gauge moods, will undoubtedly enhance the T20 squad dynamics.
As Cummins embarks on his recovery journey, Australian cricket sees a potential reshuffling of roles. With Marsh poised to play an instrumental role and Cummins eyeing a strong comeback, the cricketing world waits with bated breath. The upcoming series against India will undoubtedly be pivotal in shaping Australia’s World Cup aspirations.
