‘Pat Cummins Won’t Be Considered’: Australia Makes Major Call for Rohit, Kohli’s Return Series

Cricket Australia announced two big pieces of news on Tuesday morning, confirming that Mitchell Starc will retire from T20 internationals and excluding Pat Cummins from the forthcoming ODI series against India and New Zealand.

Starc has chosen to retire from the shortest form to be able to devote his attention to ODIs and Test cricket, while Cummins was rested by the selectors because of his continuing injury issues. His absence may prove to be a boon for India, with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma ready to make their comeback to the ODI side in Australian conditions.

In its release, Cricket Australia made it clear that Cummins will not feature in the limited-over battles against India and New Zealand, as the board wanted to prolong his rehabilitation period with an eye on the Ashes.

"Cummins won't be considered for the upcoming limited-overs series against India or New Zealand and will continue his rehabilitation plan, with a return to bowling to be determined as part of his Ashes preparation," the CA statement read.

ODI and Test captain has been on the sidelines since Australia's recent Test tour of the Caribbean last month. His rehabilitation has been further complicated by a complaint of lower back pain, which has raised doubts about his fitness for the high-profile Ashes series against England starting in November.

"Despite this planned (rest) period, Cummins has experienced some ongoing lower back pain following the West Indies Test tour," Cricket Australia said.

"Further investigation has identified a level of lumbar bone stress that will require further management over the coming months."

Currently, there is no return date for Cummins. Missing the beginning of the Ashes would be a huge blow to Australia, with the opening Test on November 21 in Perth. One thing that is certain, though, is that he will miss both the white-ball matches against New Zealand and India in October.

Australia successfully defended the Ashes in England in 2023 at 2-2, with Cummins taking 18 wickets in his second captaincy series. He played a vital role in the 2021-22 Ashes at home as well, leading from the front with 21 wickets at an average of 18 in a 4-0 victory.