Cummins, Lyon R&R a priority
PAT Cummins’s workload and Nathan Lyon’s illness form part of an intriguing selection puzzle confronting Australia in the UAE.
Cummins and Lyon were notable absentees from Australia’s first training session after the squad’s arrival in Dubai for a five-match ODI series against Pakistan.
Cummins was restricted to gym work on Tuesday and is fully expected to be rested at some point during the series, which starts tomorrow night and spans 10 days.
Any sort of setback for him would represent a doomsday scenario for Australia, especially with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood both recovering from injuries ahead of this year’s World Cup and the Ashes series.
Cummins, arguably the most important player in Australia’s World Cup defence, is yet to enjoy a break of substance since being rested from the home ODI series against India in January.
The return of Kane Richardson and Nathan CoulterNile, both absent from the side’s past three ODIs against India, has given Australia more flexibility when it comes to resting Cummins.
Lyon, recovering from gastro, was also told not to train on Tuesday. Shaun Marsh’s return, which coach Justin Langer flagged would come at some point in the UAE, is another potential change that could be made to the XI that beat India in last week’s series decider.
Winning the series against Pakistan is the short-term goal for selectors, but settling on the 15-man World Cup squad is also at the forefront of their minds.
“It’s a great place to be, everyone’s playing well,” Marsh said. “A lot of competition for spots. The most important thing is the team is playing well and we’re winning games of cricket again.”
Langer’s message to the squad in recent months has been to not focus on World Cup selection but that will become harder as the April 23 deadline edges closer. Selectors are expected to meet in early April to settle on the 15man World Cup squad plus the national contract list, which is set to be headed by Cummins.
“It [the World Cup] is really close,” leggie Adam Zampa said. “Throughout my short career I’ve found it can change really quickly. I started my career really well but I’ve had some ups and downs.
“I know what it’s like to be in and out of the team and be dropped from the squad altogether, so just trying to make the most of my position.”
Zampa felt his and Australia’s best performance in India was the Delhi decider, a positive sign given it was the most pressure-laden game on that short tour.