Steve Smith is likely to captain Australia‘s Test squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour. Australia’s regular skipper Pat Cummins may the series for the birth of his second child. The series is scheduled to be held from 29th January to 6th February. Cummins recently experienced the loss of his mother and has been vocal about spending time with family ever since.
Steve Smith Likely to Lead Australia in Sri Lanka
In his absence, Steve Smith could step in as captain once again. Smith has formerly captained Australia before the famous sandpaper incident. The selectors are expected to respect Cummins’ decision to prioritize his family commitments during this important time.
In a candid interview with the Daily Telegraph, Cummins reflected on his changing priorities.
“It’s important to give preference to your responsibilities,” Cummins said. “I missed a big chunk last time, so I want to make sure I’m with my family this time around.”
He admitted to regrets over missing the early weeks of his first child Albie’s life due to cricketing commitments.
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“When you go out to play, the focus is on the game, but you can’t forget the words of your parents who said to go and enjoy it,” Cummins added.
Australia’s World Test Championship Equation
Australia’s participation in the World Test Championship (WTC) final may hinge on the outcome of their ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India. A victory in the fifth Test at Sydney would secure their spot in the WTC final.
However, losing the Test makes things difficult for Australia. They’ll have to win both the Tests against Sri Lanka to qualify for the WTC final. Thus, Cummins’s decision to skip the Test series against Sri Lanka could be affected by the Sydney Test.
With Cummins likely unavailable, Steve Smith is likely to lead the team in Sri Lanka. Another potential option is Travis Head, but Smith’s experience gives him the edge.
Smith’s leadership will be crucial if Australia faces the uphill task of securing back-to-back wins in challenging Sri Lankan conditions.
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