Australian skipper Pat Cummins is set to miss the upcoming white-ball series against South Africa as part of a move to manage workload ahead of the Ashes. The decision comes as Australia place a strong emphasis on ensuring their key players remain fit and fresh for the high-profile Ashes series.
South Africa will be touring Australia for a white-ball tour consisting of three T20Is and as many ODIs. The tour will begin with the T20I series on August 1 at Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin. Notably, Cummins had already been rested for the five-match T20I series against West Indies, starting July 20.
"I'll have a good training block for the next couple of months, six weeks or so. Probably not bowling, but lots of gym work. (The) body feels pretty good, but there's always little bits and pieces you're always trying to get right and then build up for the summer. So it'll probably look like white-ball (cricket)… We've got some (against) New Zealand, India, potentially a Shield game and then into the home summer,” Cummins told reporters ahead of the third Test against West Indies.
In the ongoing Test series, Australia have already clinched the series after taking an unassailable 2-0 lead with a thunderous 133-run win in the second game. The third Test holds special significance as Mitchell Starc is set to make his 100th Test match, becoming the second Australian pacer after Glenn McGrath to reach the landmark.