Srinagar: Cricket Australia has confirmed that skipper Pat Cummins will not be available and Steve Smith is going to continue as captain for the fourth Test against India in Ahmedabad from March 9.
Cummins, who departed the tour following the second Test in Delhi last month, will remain in Sydney where his mother Maria is ill and in palliative care.
A call on Cummins’ availability for the three-match ODI series starting March 17, will be taken later but it is unlikely that the fast-bowling all-rounder will return. In that case, Smith might lead the Australian side even in the ODIs.
“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.”
Cricket Australia have extended their full support to Cummins and his family in these difficult times.
Smith led Australia exceptionally well in the third Test in Indore in the absence of Cummins. Australia won the Test by 9 wickets to stage a comeback and stay alive in the series.
In another important development, fast bowler Jhye Richardson has been ruled out of the ODI series a left hamstring injury. The right-arm pacer sustained the injury while playing club cricket. Cricket Australia are yet to name a replacement for him.