NEWS
Follow UsAustralia skipper Pat Cummins has not played an ODI since the final of the 2023 World Cup in Ahmedabad in November last year, but that will change when he sets foot on the field at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on November 4 (Monday), in Australia’s three-match ODI series against Pakistan.
Australia’s biggest and most important assignment of the next three months, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starts in 20 days, but Cummins will not build up to the series by playing the Sheffield Shield, Australia's premier first-class tournament.
The Australia skipper is totally fine with the decision, though, because he feels playing ODIs are a great way to build up bowling workload because of the ‘10-over cap’ that exists.
"(My) body feels like it's not 50 years old … (I'm) really happy with how the build-up has gone, no hiccups," Cummins said ahead of the first ODI.
"I feel as well-placed as I could do. It's a really good entry into the summer (this ODI series).
"Outside of playing for NSW, I hadn't played for a few months. (The ODIs are) high-intensity cricket, but you're capped at 10 overs, which is a great way to kick into the summer."
Australia have announced their playing XI for the first ODI. While Cummins and Mitchell Starc both will feature, Josh Hazlewood will not be available since he is playing the ongoing Sheffield Shield clash between New South Wales and Queensland.
With Travis Head also rested, the series provides a great opportunity for both Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk to showcase their talent at the top of the order, and make their case for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Cummins said he was eager to see both the right-handers give it a ‘proper crack’ and cut loose.
"Both of them in T20 and one-dayers have been pretty scary to bowl at so that's our message to them," he said.
"My preference would be they give it a good crack for sure."
Cummins is expected to play the first two ODIs but he might sit out the third ODI in Perth on November 10 (Sunday).
Australia XI v Pakistan, first ODI
Matt Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Steve Smith, Josh Inglis (wk), Marnus Labuschagne, Aaron Hardie, Glenn Maxwell, Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa
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