Australia paceman Cummins out of Afghanistan match

The 21-year-old Cummins suffered a slight side strain in Australia's one-wicket defeat to New Zealand but had been cleared of serious injury.

Australia paceman Cummins out of Afghanistan match

(Reuters)





"At this stage, Pat is unavailable for selection for tomorrow's game," Clarke told reporters in Perth on Tuesday.

Selectors have yet to decide on the 11 to take on non-test playing nation Afghanistan, Clarke added, saying they needed to see how the team recovered from Tuesday's training.

Batsman Steven Smith was struck on the hand in the nets on Tuesday, but returned for another bat and was available for selection, Clarke added.

Cummins' injury opens the door for Josh Hazlewood to join left-armers Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson on the WACA's fast and bouncy wicket.

The 24-year-old Hazlewood was replaced by Cummins after going wicketless in the big win over England in their World Cup opener in Melbourne.

Fast-bowling all-rounder James Faulkner has also declared himself fit for his first World Cup match after recovering from a side strain, placing further pressure on the misfiring Shane Watson.

If Watson was left out of the side it would likely mean a promotion for Smith to the all-rounder's number three position in the batting order, with Faulkner and fellow all-rounder Mitchell Marsh to bat lower down.

Australia are keen to hit back against minnows Afghanistan after the narrow defeat to New Zealand, which came after their second match against Bangladesh was washed out.









(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: Reuters


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world