Australia captain Pat Cummins has hinted that he is likely to sit out the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne and believes Nathan Lyon could also miss the match after suffering a right hamstring injury on the final day of the Adelaide Test.
Cummins and Lyon returned to play the third Test after missing the second game of the series. Both bowlers played key roles in Australia’s 82-run win, with Cummins taking six wickets and Lyon claiming five in the match.
With the series in the bag, Australia could ring in a few changes. Cummins is unlikely to feature in the Boxing Day Test.
“We had a pretty aggressive build-up knowing that there was an Ashes to be won, and we thought that was worth it,” Cummins said after the game. “Now that the series has been won, there might be a sense that the job is done and it’s time to reassess the risk. We’ll work it out over the next couple of days. I doubt I’ll be playing in Melbourne, and then we’ll have a chat about Sydney.”
“Certainly before the series, while it was alive, we wanted to take on the risk and have a crack at it. Now that it’s done, I think we’ll need to have a chat about it,” he added.
Lyon suffered the injury and left the Adelaide Oval on crutches before lunch to undergo a scan, but returned in time to join Australia’s celebrations after retaining the urn.
“It doesn’t look great. I don’t know yet, but seeing someone on crutches doesn’t really bode well for a Test match that’s only a week away,” Cummins said about Lyon. “It’s going to be hard to replace him, but we have some guys who have already had a taste of international cricket.”
Steve Smith, who was ruled out of the third Test, is likely to return for the MCG clash and will lead the team if Cummins is rested. The fourth Ashes Test at the MCG is set to begin on December 26.
For More Sports Related News: Follow RevSportz
