If regular Test skipper Pat Cummins is unable to lead Australia against India for the remainder of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023, Australian cricketer Steve Smith has been named as a standby.
Pat Cummins returned to Australia after Australia’s second consecutive loss to India in the four-match Test series because of family-related health difficulties. Even if the Australian captain had made a suggestion that he will return prior to the start of the third Test, there is still no assurance.
According to sources on cricket.com.au, there is a good chance that Australia’s vice-captain, Steve Smith, will take over as captain for the duration of the series while Cummins is out. Notably, Australian players have experienced numerous injury issues recently, with David Warner’s decision to miss the rest of the series owing to an elbow fracture being the biggest blow.
Cameron Green is most likely to return for the third Test, giving the Australian management a glimmer of hope amidst all the problems. Green initially had a finger injury, and the team’s management was concerned about his availability. Nevertheless, a new report suggests that the 23-year-old has been responding well to his recovery process and may be ready to play again by March 1.
Pat Cummins will be unavailable in the rest of the games
In addition, Mitchell Swepson, who was in Australia for the birth of his first child, has returned and may play in the third Test. The Australian management has been under fire for making too many unneeded changes at the last minute to their team, particularly focusing more on playing spinners, which has certainly backfired on them.
The third Test between India and Australia will begin on March 1 at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. India presently has a 2-0 advantage in the Test series and will want to secure another spot in the WTC final.
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