Win Projections to be updated soon
Australian captain Pat Cummins has signaled his determination to be at his best for the upcoming Test series against India by opting to skip the white-ball tours of England and Scotland. The five-Test series against India, starting November 23, is crucial for Australia, who are keen to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after losing the last two series on home soil.
In a recent interview with ESPN Cricinfo, Cummins detailed his preparation strategy. “That window has always been earmarked as a time to really give my body a rest and do close to a full pre-season,” he explained. “I should get six or eight weeks off bowling and then build up again.”
Cummins, who is currently participating in Major League Cricket (MLC), revealed his approach to the pre-season. “I’ll get home, I’ll have a good six or eight weeks off bowling where I’ll get in the gym every day, do some running, and get some strength back into my body,” he said. “And then we’ve got a big Test match series [against India] for our home summer, so that’ll be the focus.”
Having captained SunRisers Hyderabad to the IPL 2024 final, played in the T20 World Cup 2024, and now with the San Francisco Unicorns in MLC, Cummins has had a hectic schedule. Reflecting on his busy calendar, he noted, “Everyone’s a little bit more realistic about the schedules nowadays. We spend ten-plus months of the year away on the road, so some tours probably carry a little bit more importance than others.”
He further elaborated on the challenge of balancing multiple formats, stating, “For the guys that play all three formats, you’re always trying to make sure you’re peaking for those major events – and it feels like there’s been about ten major events in the last 18 months, so I haven’t really taken much time to reinvest back in my body.”
Cummins’ decision to focus on the Indian series underscores his commitment to leading Australia effectively in a series that holds significant importance for the team. The Australian squad will be looking to bounce back from their shock Super 8 exit in the T20 World Cup 2024, where they faced defeats against India and Afghanistan.
As the series approaches, Cummins is determined to ensure that he and his team are well-prepared to face a strong Indian side. His decision to forego the England and Scotland tours highlights his strategic approach to maintaining peak fitness and performance for what promises to be a challenging and high-stakes series.
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