Australia’s Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins has decided to leave the upcoming white-ball series against South Africa next month to focus on his fitness before the end of this year. Pat Cummins was already rested for the upcoming five -match T20I series against the West Indies.
Apart from Cummins, Mitchell Stark and Travis Head were also rested for the upcoming T20I series against the West Indies. However, he has all been on a Caribbean Tour for the three -match Test series. Australia will take the third and final test at Sabina Park from July 13 to the West Indies.
Pat Cummins to focus on ash preparation to leave the South Africa series
Now, Josh Hazelwood will join his Test Captain, Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Travis Head on a flight in Australia after the end of the Test leg of the Caribbean Tour. Initially, Hazelwood was named in the squad for the T20I series against the West Indies starting on July 21, but now they have decided to leave the white-ball matches.
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Xavier Bartlet is designated as a replacement of Hazelwood. However, Josh Hazlewood is very likely to play a white-ball chain against South Africa at home, but Pat Cummins will work on their fitness as part of their preparation for the summer of Australia’s busy home. Australia and South Africa are ready to play three T20s and three Odis.
Speaking to the media at Sabina Park during the pre-match press conference, Cummins confirmed that he would spend the next few weeks in a focused training block, mainly the gym instead of bowling. The Australian captain has insisted that his body looks good, but he wants to fix some minor issues before the busy summer.
I will have a good training block for the next few months: Pat Cummins
Cummins is eyeing a return during New Zealand’s T20I tour in October and expects to play some limited overs matches against India before the ashes begins in late November against England. He is also considering playing Sheffield Shield Games before Home Summer and Ashes.
Pat Cummins was said by Espncricinfo: “I will have a good training block for the next few months, six weeks either. Perhaps not bowling, but a lot of gyms work. My body looks great, but always has small bits and pieces that you are always trying to be right and then you are ready for summer.”
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In particular, Cummins is still the ODI captain of Australia, but he has led the team only twice since the 2023 World Cup win in India. Earlier this year, he missed the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to an ankle injury, which he was managing during the test series against India.
Pat Cummins says
Well, the Australian skipper said that performing well in the current Test series against the upcoming Sheffield Shield and Australia with the West Indies, can help match players to strengthen their case for future selection for the upcoming home summer.
He signed, saying, “There are a lot of shield cricket to come and some Australians are also equal. I think if you do good at the test level, it is going to make your case more compelling anytime. I think there is a little connection for summer, but it feels a long way at this time.”