Steve Smith to lead Australia in the final Test against India. Australia’s primary captain Pat Cummins will miss the fourth and last Test against India, which begins on March 9 in Ahmedabad. He will stay in Sydney, where his mother Maria is receiving palliative care for her breast cancer.
Steve Smith will lead the team in the last Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Cummins’ absence. Cummins left the trip prior to the third Test and was originally scheduled to return for the 3rd game of the series,
However, the Australian captain has chosen to remain in Australia since his mother is receiving hospice treatment. The Australian pacer is anticipated to return and lead the team in the three-match ODI series that comes after the Tests.
“Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the fourth Test against India in Ahmedabad to remain in Australia with his family,”
Cricket Australia said in a brief statement.
“Steve Smith will captain Australia in the final Test of this series,”
it added.
However, CA noted that no call regarding his availability had yet been placed. Australia suffered crushing defeats in the first two Tests under Cummins’ direction, but when Smith took over, they made a stunning comeback to win the third Test by nine wickets.
Smith to lead Australia again
As a result, Australia qualified for the ICC World Test Championship final in June at The Oval. The victory was only Australia’s second Test win in India since 2004.
Although Steve Smith said that the conclusion of the third Test marked the end of his tenure as captain. But now it looks like the 33-year-old will now have to step up in skippers shoes for one more time.
“My time is done. It’s Pat’s team now,” Smith told reporters after the nine-wicket win.
I’ve obviously been able to stand in this week, obviously in tough circumstances with Patty going home. Our thoughts are still with him back home,”
he added.
India, who have already retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, are currently leading the series 2-1.
While the Aussies have suffered an injury blow in name of Jhye Richardson, who has been ruled out of the 4th Test and also the following ODI series due to a hamstring issue. As a result of which Nathan Ellis has taken his place in the Australian squad for the upcoming fixtures.
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