ADELAIDE: Steve Smith will captain Australia in the second Test against the West Indies after skipper Pat Cummins was ruled out due to injury on Wednesday.
Scott Boland will replace the pace spearhead, who has been nursing a mild thigh problem and did not bowl on the last two days of the opening Test in Perth that Australia won by 164 runs.
Cummins had expressed confidence in being fit for the second day-night Test in Adelaide that begins Thursday but has not recovered in time.
“Team medical staff commenced Cummins’ recovery in Adelaide but selectors deemed there was not sufficient time for the fast bowler to be fully fit for the match,” Cricket Australia said.
Cummins also missed last year’s Adelaide Test against England as a close Covid-19 contact, with vice-captain Smith standing in as skipper on that occasion as well.
Boland played in the Ashes campaign, taking an incredible 6-7 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, but was overlooked for successive overseas tours this year. Australia play five Tests this summer, with three against South Africa after the West Indies, and face a huge 2023. Cummins said on Sunday he was conscious that he has a lot of bowling ahead.
A representational image showing participants during a horse race in Lahore. — Screengrab/YouTube/Pakistan Horse...
Brooks Koepka seen in this undated photo.—AFP/File SINGAPORE: Brooks Koepka became the first golfer to record four...
Lionel Messi seen in this undated photo. — AFP/FileMIAMI: Lionel Messi had an MLS-record six goal contributions,...
Aston Martin's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso speaks at a drivers press conference ahead of the 2023 Formula One...
The image shows two-time F1 world chamption Max Verstappe. — AFP/FileMIAMI: Two-time defending Miami Grand Prix...
Pakistan women’s cricket team players celebrate their victory against New Zealand in Christchurch, New Zealand on...