AUS vs WI 2022: Scott Boland replaces injured Pat Cummins, Steve Smith to lead

Australia’s fast bowler Scott Boland has replaced full-time skipper Pat Cummins for the second Test match against West Indies, Cricket Australia has confirmed. Cummins suffered a thigh strain in the first Test match against the Windies and he is yet to recover from the injury.

Cummins took three wickets in the first innings against the visitors but didn’t bowl in the second essay due to injury.

Steve Smith will take the captaincy baton for Australia in Cummins’ absence whereas Boland will join Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in the pace battery setup. Cummins is expected to be fit for the first Test match against South Africa, which will be played at the Gabba from December 17.

“Team medical staff commenced Cummins’ recovery in Adelaide but selectors deemed there was not sufficient time for the fast bowler to be fully fit for the match, which starts tomorrow,” a Cricket Australia statement said

Meanwhile, Scott Boland made an impressive Test debut against England last year at the iconic MCG, picking 6-7 in his brilliant spell.

Boland took 18 wickets in three Test matches in the series against England but didn’t get his chances for the team on the tour of Pakistan and Sri Lanka – where the pitches are not conducive for seam bowling.

On the other hand, Australia won the first Test match against West Indies by a massive margin of 164 runs. Marnus Labuschagne was awarded the Player of the Match for scoring 308 runs in the Test match, including a double hundred in the first dig and a century in the second innings. Furthermore, Steve Smith had scored an unbeaten knock of 200 runs in the first innings

The second Test match between Australia and West Indies will be played at Adelaide Oval from December 8.