Cricket News: Steve Smith to lead Australia as Pat Cummins set to miss 3rd Test against India

Cricket Australia has announced today that Pat Cummins won't be available for the 3rd Test between Australia and India. While Cummins will stay in his hometown to attend to his mother's health.

The third Test will be captained by Australian middle order Batsman Steve Smith in the absence of the bowler. During the second Test in Delhi, Pat Cummins took a flight to Sydney and was going to return before the 3rd Test.

However, the pacer made the decision to stay with his mother Gillian for an additional week to take palliative care. Today the 29-year-old communicated with Cricket Australia and said:

"I have decided against returning to India at this time as my mother is ill and in palliative care. I feel I am best being here with my family. I appreciate the overwhelming support I have received from Cricket Australia and my teammates. Thanks for your understanding,"

Thus, Australian team will now be looking at other options who can replace Cummins in the Indore Test. Before departing for Indore on Sunday, the Australians have two more days of training in the Indian capital.

If the surface is expected to change, three spinners may be used once more, especially now that Cameron Green has proclaimed himself healthy after missing the first two Tests against India due to a finger injury.

Australia would have a second seam-bowling option with Green's return because Cummins was the only quick in Delhi.

After losing the first two Test matches, the visitors are under a lot of pressure, and the absence of their captain will further reduce their hopes of an implausible comeback. Although there has been no indication on how long Cummins will be out, he may miss the fourth Test in Ahmedabad as well, leaving his vice skipper Steve Smith in charge.

Following a three-day break in Dubai with his wife, Smith returned to the team on Thursday. After learning of Cummins' choice, Smith saw head coach Andrew McDonald at their hotel on Friday before departing for Indore on Sunday.

The last time Smith captained the side was in December 2022 when Cummins was forced to withdraw due to injury for the second Test against the West Indies in Adelaide.

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