Pat Cummins sets eyes on T20 World Cup in India after missing last of Ashes: ‘High risk to play back-to-back Tests’
The Melbourne Cricket Ground has been a fast bowler’s paradise on Day 1 of the fourth Ashes Test. Both Australia’s and England’s first innings were wiped out and things might have moved faster had Pat Cummins been around. However, the Australian captain said that he was pretty clear on wanting to make sure he stays fit to travel to India and Sri Lanka for the T20 World Cup earlier this year.
“Feeling good, so got through Adelaide unscathed so pretty happy,” he told Channel 7 during the lunch break on the first day of the Boxing Day Test here. Cummins had missed the first two Tests of the Ashes before finally making an appearance in the third in Adelaide.
“As of a few weeks ago, was still coming back from a back injury so playing back-to-back Test matches was pretty high risk. So, will cool the heels for a little bit with T20 World Cup next month,” Cummins added.
Cummins took six wickets in the Adelaide Test as Australia won by 82 runs. The victory took their lead to 3-0, thus confirming a series win and with the Ashes urn firmly in the bag, Australia ruled Cummins out for the rest of the series, with Steve Smith returning as captain. Australia have held the Ashes since taking it from England in the 2017/18 series, winning thrice at home and drawing back-to-back series in England.
Meanwhile, Cummins said that the veteran spinner Nathan Lyon is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines. With Lyon predominantly playing only Test cricket, though, his absence won’t be too much of a concern for Australia, whose next Test assignment after the Ashes isn’t due until August.
“He had surgery a couple of days ago, so he’ll have a lengthy layoff, I don’t know exactly, but will be at least a few months,” Cummins said. “Bit of a long road ahead for him, but he’s done it before so hopefully he’ll be back. It was a big one, so surgery, and he has his crutches in the change room at the moment so we wish best … it was a shame but he put a brave face after the Test.”
