Australia have called up fast bowler Pat Cummins to replace injured pace spearhead Mitchell Starc in the final two matches of the Test series against India.
Cummins will make a long awaited comeback to Test cricket, if he is selected in the playing XI, having played his last Test match in 2011.
Starc was ruled out of the series against India after suffering a fractured foot.
Announcing Cummins’ return in the Test squad, Australian selector Trevor Hohns said:
“It’s unfortunate to lose Mitch out of the squad in India. In selecting Pat, we were looking for a strike bowling replacement option. Pat has impressed in his return to cricket this summer with consistent performances in his ODI, Twenty20 International and Big Bash matches. He has also had a very good Sheffield Shield return for New South Wales, after six years off, where he made a notable Shield best 4-57 in the first innings, before bettering those figures in the second innings with 4-47 in his man-of-the-match performance.”
Cummins broke through as a teenager in international cricket, but various injuries have severely restricted his involvement in international cricket.
With the series tied at 1-1, Australia will hope that he makes an immediate impact if selected.
