Aussie skipper Pat Cummins did not take part in the first Test’s fourth day because of muscle soreness.
Former skipper, Steve Smith filled in for Cummins for the remainder of the Test against the West Indies.
Smith stepped down from the role of captaincy after his 2018 ‘ball-tampering’ case in the series against South Africa.
Cummins who picked up his 200th wicket in this Test match managed to bowl only 20.2 overs.
But, after Lunch, Cummins did not come out to take the field after Australia declared their innings.
Sources from Cricket Australia have said that Cummins has been experiencing some sort of pain.
One of the spokespersons at Cricket Australia said that the skipper felt uneasy in his quadriceps.
Says a CA official,
Pat Cummins is experiencing some mild right-sided quadricep soreness.
Adding further, he says,
He will continue to be monitored by team medical staff and his availability to bowl in the second innings will be assessed on an ongoing basis. Steve Smith will captain the side while Cummins is off the field.
The Australian team management has already roped in Marcus Harris as a substitute fielder for Cummins along with Scott Boland as the replacement bowler.
Australia has a very packed Test schedule for 2023 that includes trips to India and England.
That’s why the management has a strategy in place to manage all their pacers so that they remain fresh for the upcoming Test series.
There are at present some injuries in the West Indies camp as well with pacer Kemar Roach and batsman Nkrumah Bonner suffering injuries during this Test.
For Australia, the fitness of their pacers is the key as they go into the upcoming Test series.
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