Australia’s ODI captain Pat Cummins is expected to miss the series opener against South Africa on Thursday, as the team chooses to conserve its key pace bowlers ahead of the upcoming crucial Test series. As reported by Cricinfo on Wednesday, Cummins arrived in South Africa after fellow frontline fast bowler Mitchell Starc, and his workload will be managed in conjunction with Starc and Josh Hazlewood throughout the three-match ODI series scheduled for Durban, Johannesburg, and Potchefstroom.
Both Cummins and Starc were absent from the ODI tour of Zimbabwe, which was part of their preparation for the upcoming Test series against South Africa. Josh Hazlewood participated in only one of the three matches during his stint in Zimbabwe under the management plan. One potential rotation for South Africa could involve Hazlewood and Starc taking the first and third ODIs, while Cummins plays only in the middle gamethis would let Australia avoid deploying their Test pace bowlers in consecutive matches with travel time in between.
According to the report, with three ODIs spread over seven days and involving inter-city travel, Australia are unlikely to play all three of their Test fast bowlers in every match. Last month, Cummins indicated that he might play in as few as one ODI before the Test matches.
Hazlewood, who participated in only one game during the Zimbabwe series as part of his workload management, might join Starc in the first and third ODIs, while Cummins could appear in just the second match as his only outing. Starc recognized that fast bowler Nathan Ellis, who stood out for Australia in Zimbabwe, has made a compelling argument for regular inclusion in the ODI team.
94/125 WordsParaphrase
Cummins is still Australia’s designated ODI captain, but he has taken charge in just two matches since the 2023 World Cup. Mitchell Marsh has assumed the role of ODI deputy after Steven Smith retired in 2025. Cummins had only played in four ODIs prior to the 2023 World Cup, and he is anticipated to feature in and captain very few matches before the 2027 tournament. He is scheduled to be managed during this series and in Australia’s next two ODI seriesagainst England in November and against New Zealand in Augustbecause of his significant Test commitments.
