Last Update: February 22, 2023, 09:50 IST
Steve Smith (left) last led Australia in 2018. (agencies)
Test captain Pat Cummins is currently in Australia to attend to a family medical issue
Australia are struggling on and off the field during their ongoing tour of India. With their batsmen struggling to respond to the machinations of the Indian spinners, their poor shot selection has grabbed headlines and as a result, their hopes of winning the Border Gavaskar Trophy have been dashed. India They have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series.
Off the field, he is battling an injury crisis. They went to India with two of their key players – Josh Hazlewood and Cameron Green – dealing with fitness concerns. Hazlewood has since been ruled out of the entire tour without playing a single match while Green is expected to be fit for the third Test.
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Another key bowler, Mitchell Starc, joined the squad for the Delhi Test but did not play as Australia opted for a three-pronged spin attack.
Australia captain Pat Cummins has returned home to attend to a family medical concern. While Cummins is expected to be back in time for the Indore Test starting March 1, vice-captain Steve Smith has been kept on standby to lead the team, reports cricket.com.au .
Leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson will return to the Test team after returning home for the birth of his child last week. Australia have given debuts to two spinners including Todd Murphy and Matthew Kuhnman during the tour.
However, Australia’s biggest blow has come with opener David Warner being ruled out of the remaining two Tests due to a fractured elbow.
There are also reports that Australia could trim their Test squad in India with the likes of Matt Renshaw and Ashton Agar missing if they don’t fit into their plans for the rest of the series.
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With Warner out of the picture, there are whispers of a surprise call-up to Glenn Maxwell, whose hopes of making the cut were ended due to a broken leg.
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