Plan A is to use Cummins in all games: Saker

Chennai, September 13

Australia’s stand-in coach David Saker today said that the team management will closely monitor fast bowler Pat Cummins’ workload in the upcoming limited-overs series against India even though he’s expected to play all five ODIs. “At this stage we’re planning for him to play all the games. We will look at (resting him), it’s obviously been brought up between all of us. We know that his workloads are up there, but we know it’s an important series. It’s Australia vs India, it doesn’t get any bigger than that,” Saker was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

Cummins would be leading an inexperienced fast bowling attack in five ODIs and three T20Is over the next month, with Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and James Pattinson nursing minor injuries ahead of the Ashes. 

Saker admitted Cummins’ bowling workload was “up there” after he pushed himself to the limit in oppressive conditions on the recent Test tour of Bangladesh, but said resting him against India was only plan B. The paceman, whose career has been hit by a series of injuries since he made his debut against South Africa in 2011, bowled only four overs in the team’s warm-up match against Board President’s XI here on Tuesday. “He’s really determined to play well over here. It’ll be game-by-game basis, we’ll play it by the ear,” the stand-in coach was reported as saying. Cummins is one of the just three frontline fast bowlers in Australia’s squad, alongside Nathan Coulter-Nile and Kane Richardson. The ODI series begins in Chennai on September 17. — PTI

Shami has plans for Smith and Warner

Kolkata: Speedster Mohammed Shami has worked out a strategy to keep Australian skipper Steve Smith and David Warner in check. “We have plans for each of their batsmen, especially Smith and Warner. There’s always some new plan in place. The key, though, is execution,” said Shami. Recalled to the ODI squad for the first three matches, Shami is excited at the prospect of playing his first ODI in Kolkata, his home ground. “It’s a matter of pride to play an ODI at my home ground. I hope to make it count and deliver for my team,” said Shami, who last played an ODI against West Indies in July. Close on the heels of their 9-0 clean sweep in Sri Lanka, the hosts would be eyeing another dominating display but Shami said it would not be easy. “Australia are a strong team. It’s difficult to say that (clean sweep) but we will try our best for a good show. The conditions will play a big role,” Shami added. — PTI