Cummins and Hazlewood to miss Tests against Pakistan

Australia

Fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood will miss Australia’s trip to the UAE to face Pakistan later this year.

The Australia medical team revealed that left-arm quick Mitchell Starc is on track to return for the three-Test series.

The team hope to have Cummins and Hazlewood fit to face South Africa in an ODI series that gets underway in November.

Both pacemen will be required to prove their form and fitness for New South Wales in the JLT One-Day Cup.

The management of their pacemen will be critical for Australia who face a huge home Test series against India leading into a 2019 season that will include the World Cup and an Ashes defense in England for Justin Langer’s charges.

Physiotherapist David Beakley said: “Pat and Josh are progressing well from their lumbar bone stress injuries but are not bowling, so unfortunately they will not be at the level required for Test match intensity come October.”

“Barring any setbacks, we are hopeful that Pat and Josh will return via the back-end of the JLT One-Day Cup, with the aim of them being available for the ODI Series against South Africa in November as they build towards the Indian Test Series.”

Starc is renowned for his ability to reverse swing the ball, a skill incredibly valuable on the dry and slow pitches of the UAE.

“On a positive note Mitchell Starc is back to unrestricted training and remains on track for the Test Series against Pakistan,” Beakley said.

Australia’s first ODI Series match is against South Africa at Perth Stadium on November 4.

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