Smith May Lead Australia in The Ashes Due to Cummins’ Injury Woes
Steve Smith is poised to step in as the captain of the Australian cricket team for this year’s Ashes series if Pat Cummins is not able to recover from his ongoing back injury. This was confirmed by George Bailey, the chief selector of the Australian team. Cummins has already been declared unfit for the upcoming limited-overs series against India, which kicks off with the first ODI in Perth this Sunday. There are also concerns regarding his participation in the first Ashes Test, scheduled to start on November 21 in Perth.
“Should Pat be unable to play, Smudge [Smith] will take on the captaincy. This is our usual approach, and it has served us well,” Bailey shared with the Sydney Morning Herald.
Bailey reassured fans that even if Cummins is sidelined, he will remain engaged with the team to assist in preparations and maintain communication within the leadership. “Pat is eager to stay involved, even if he isn’t playing. He will be focused on his rehab and training, so he will continue to work with the team,” he explained.
Recently returning to Australia from New York, Smith wasted no time in getting back into the swing of things, hitting the nets at the Cricket New South Wales facility the day after his arrival. He plans to compete in the next two rounds of the Sheffield Shield for New South Wales in Brisbane and Sydney.
“Steve was back batting at Cricket NSW right after he arrived. We’ve customized everyone’s preparations to suit their needs, and I’m confident he will be ready,” Bailey added.
Additionally, there are some injury concerns for Australia, particularly with all-rounder Cameron Green. He is on the mend following spinal surgery and will not be part of the white-ball series against India due to a slight side strain sustained during the Sheffield Shield opener.
“Even minor strains can keep players out for four to six weeks, but I’m confident Green will be fit for the Ashes. It’s nothing serious,” Bailey said. “We are erring on the side of caution, ensuring he is fully fit for the big series.”
Green had been limited in his bowling activities post-surgery, and Bailey anticipated that it may take a few more days for him to reach peak fitness. Other injury challenges include Beau Webster dealing with an ankle issue, WA fast bowler Lance Morris who is out for the season, and Jhye Richardson, who is working hard to return for the later stages of the series after undergoing shoulder surgery.
With potential gaps in the bowling lineup due to Cummins and Green’s situations, Australia faces a challenging road ahead as they prepare to take on England in the Ashes.
