Border-Gavaskar: Aus to practice in Delhi before leaving for Indore

NEW DELHI: Australia will continue its practice in Delhi at the Arun Jaitely Stadium before leaving for Indore for the third Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, as per sources.

The Aussie team trail by two Tests in the series with the third match scheduled to begin on March 1.

“The Aussie team came for practice in the morning at Arun Jaitley Stadium with all players. They practised for around 4 to 5 hours, and they will leave for Indore on Sunday from Delhi,” a source told ANI.

After sealing the second Test on the third day here at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Sunday, Team India players left for their homes as the Test match got over with two days to spare, the players decided to spend their time with their families. They will join the squad again in Indore on February 25.

Steve Smith will lead the Australian Test team against India in the third Test match in Indore starting March 1 as Pat Cummins will not return next week from Australia due to family reasons.

Cummins had to fly back home to Sydney after losing the second Test match, explaining in a statement that his mother ‘is ill and in palliative care’. He was supposed to return back from home because there was a nine-day break between the second Test match in New Delhi to the third Test match in Indore.

“I have decided against returning to India at this time. I feel I am best being here with my family. I appreciate the overwhelming support I have received from Cricket Australia and my teammates. Thanks for your understanding, ” said Australian captain Pat Cummins as per cricket.com.au.

The 29-year-old pacer’s absence is the latest blow to Aussie hopes in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. Earlier, pacer Josh Hazlewood and opener David Warner returned home due to injuries. Left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc will likely be the replacement of his captain and will lead the pace attack.

Smith has captained Australia in 34 Tests between 2014 and 2018, including Australia’s most recent Test tour of India in 2017, a controversy-marred campaign in which Smith dominated with the bat, scoring three centuries. In the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series he has scored 71 runs in four innings at an average of 23.66.

India have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ongoing four-match Test series and captain Pat Cummins’ absence will make things more difficult for the visitors.